An Otero County grand jury has concluded police were justified in fatally shooting a 19-year-old man outside Tularosa Elementary School during a late-night encounter. The decision was returned in the death of Jesse Vigil of Tularosa on April 30.
The shooting occurred after a Tularosa police officer recognized Vigil while he was checking on the school during an electric blackout that was caused by a fire.
A State Police report says the officer believed Vigil had a warrant for his arrest and eventually stopped Vigil.
The report says the officer drew his gun after Vigil pulled out a .22-caliber rifle.
Rounds were fired between the officer, sheriff's deputies and Vigil.
Some rounds struck Vigil.
Vigil was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Information from: Alamogordo Daily News, http://www.alamogordonews.com
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