Written by Officer Dusty Francisco 4/28/2022
UPDATE: New Mexico State Police Supervisor shot during a pursuit on State Road 333 near Sedillo Hill.
This update identifies the New Mexico State Police Supervisor involved and gives additional details that led up to the shooting.
Bernalillo County, NM – On February 11, 2022, a New Mexico State Police supervisor was shot during a pursuit on State Road 333 near Sedillo Hill, NM.
On February 11, 2022, at approximately 8:17 a.m., a New Mexico State Police supervisor stopped to refuel his police vehicle at the Mr. Gas Mart located at the intersection of State Road 333 and State Road 344 in Edgewood, NM. The supervisor was approached by a store clerk who reported an incident she had with a female inside the store. The female locked herself inside the restroom and refused to exit. The clerk was able to get the female out and located foil in the restroom. The clerk told the supervisor she was currently sitting inside a silver Cadillac parked in front of the store with a male companion.
The supervisor parked his patrol vehicle behind the silver Cadillac and went to initiate contact. As the supervisor attempted to contact the male and female occupants, the male subject, later identified as Caleb Dustin Elledge (24), drove the vehicle in reverse ramming the front end of the supervisor’s patrol vehicle. The Cadillac sped off at a high rate of speed out of the parking lot and began traveling west onto State Road 333. A pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, as the Cadillac turned north onto the Sedillo Hill overpass, the supervisor utilized a pursuit intervention technique (PIT). The Cadillac crashed into a guardrail and came to a stop. The driver, Elledge, and the female, later identified as Alanna Martinez (22) both exited the vehicle. Upon exiting the Cadillac, Elledge fired multiple shots at the supervisor. The New Mexico State Police supervisor was struck by Elledge’s gunfire. Despite being injured, the supervisor was able to recover and return fire at Elledge. Both Elledge and Martinez fled on foot east from the scene.
On February 12, 2022, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau, with assistance from the New Mexico State Police Tactical Team, Auto Theft Unit, Crime Suppression Unit, the New Mexico State Police Aircraft Unit, and multiple assisting agencies located Elledge and Martinez after executing a search warrant on a residence at 31 Juana Lane in McIntosh, NM. Elledge and Martinez were taken into custody without incident.
During the investigation, investigators learned both Elledge and Martinez were not struck by gunfire, and it was revealed Elledge had a violent criminal history which consisted of multiple arrest warrants for Shooting at or from a Motor Vehicle (Great Bodily Harm), Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer, Assault (Unlawful Acts, Threats or Conduct of a Household Member), and Assault (Attempted Battery of a Household Member).
Caleb Dustin Elledge was charged with Assault with intent to commit a violent felony on a Peace Officer, Aggravated Battery on a Peace Officer (Great Bodily Harm), Possession of a Firearm or a Destructive Device by a Felon, Tampering with Evidence, and Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000).
Alanna Martinez was charged with Harboring and Aiding a Felon.
The state police supervisor sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital in Albuquerque, NM, where he was treated and later released.
The New Mexico State Police supervisor, Lieutenant Jeremy Vaughan, has been employed with the New Mexico State Police for a total of 19 years. The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents work to independently determine the series of events that led to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigation findings are shared with the district attorney for their review and consideration.
The New Mexico State Police acts solely as factfinders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney’s office. This incident remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.