Las Cruces Police and a multi-agency task force are investigating a dangerous vehicle pursuit that ended with several law enforcement units damaged and an officer on foot firing rounds toward the suspect vehicle that approached him at a high-rate of speed.
Shortly before 3:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, a Las Cruces Police officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black sport utility vehicle near the intersection of Picacho Avenue and Melendres Street. As the officer exited his unit to approach the SUV, the driver sped off at a high rate of speed.
The driver of the SUV attempted to elude officers but struck several law enforcement units during the pursuit through a residential neighborhood just north of Picacho Avenue. During the pursuit a Las Cruces Police officer fired at least one round toward the SUV, striking it but not the driver.
The driver was eventually taken into custody near the intersection of Picacho Avenue and 3rd Street.
At least two LCPD units received extensive damage but no major injuries were reported. No charges have been filed yet as the incident remains under investigation by LCPD and the FBI.
As is standard protocol for an officer-involved shooting, the Officer-Involved Incident Task Force will also conduct its investigation. The task force includes investigators from the Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State University Police.
Information from Las Cruces Police