Albuquerque, NM – On November 17, 2022, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau, in conjunction with the Multi-Agency OIS Task Force, was requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting (OIS) in Northeast Albuquerque near the intersection of Montgomery and Louisiana involving the New Mexico State Police.
State Police Investigations Bureau agents learned that on November 16, 2022, at around 11:00 p.m., a New Mexico State Police officer made a traffic stop on a suspected drunk driver who was driving with no headlights on and was swerving in and out of his lane.
As the officer approached the vehicle, he noticed that there were several edged weapons inside the vehicle and the suspect refused to exit. A second State Police officer arrived on the scene and placed tire deflation devices under the suspect’s vehicle.
While the officer was speaking with the suspect and trying to get him to peacefully exit the vehicle, the suspect placed the vehicle in reverse and backed into the officer’s marked patrol unit. The suspect tried to flee, but with his tires deflated he crashed into the curb at the Smith’s grocery store on Louisiana.
Once stopped, the suspect barricaded himself in the vehicle and refused to get out. The Crisis Negotiation Team and New Mexico State Police Tactical Team were called to assist. After hours of negotiations, and giving commands to the suspect to surrender, he got out of the vehicle armed with a machete at around 3:00 a.m.
At this point during the encounter, at least one shot was fired by two New Mexico State Police officers. The suspect was struck by gunfire and suffered fatal injuries. No officers were injured during this incident. The suspect will not be identified until the family has been properly notified.
The name of the officers involved will not be released until after interviews have been conducted. The New Mexico State Police, and Multi-Agency OIS Task Force, act solely as fact-finders in their investigations.
The New Mexico State Police conducts an unbiased and impartial investigation. In officer-involved shootings, NMSP works to thoroughly document the scene, collect evidence, and interview officers, subjects, and witnesses. In turn, the agency compiles as detailed a set of facts as possible and forwards all reports and evidence to the appropriate district attorney for their further review and consideration.
The New Mexico State Police does not determine whether an officer’s actions were justified in these types of matters. This determination rests solely with the district attorney reviewing the investigation.
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