The detective who shot and killed an armed man who was being sought on a warrant last week has been identified by Doña Ana County Sheriff’s officials as Detective Chase Thouvenell.
Detective Thouvenell was part of the sheriff’s Special Response Team (SRT) that went to the Day’s End Motel in the 700 block of North Valley Drive on July 29 to serve an arrest warrant on Michael Malone, 34.
Malone was wanted on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felon in possession of a firearm and battery against a household member. All three allegations stemmed from a domestic violence incident that was under investigation by the sheriff’s department. Because of his criminal history, detectives knew Malone to be armed and dangerous.
At approximately 1 p.m. on July 29, deputies with the SRT made contact with a woman who answered the door of the motel room where Malone was believed to be, but the woman denied Malone was inside. Deputies then heard gunshots and learned Malone had attempted to escape out the window of the room.
Additional members of the SRT, including Detective Thouvenell, were positioned outside the motel near the window. After a brief confrontation with Malone, who was armed with a handgun, he was shot and killed.
Deputies and detectives on scene administered first aid to Malone until fire and ambulance personnel arrived, but he died shortly afterward.
Detective Thouvenell was placed on administrative leave with pay, which is standard policy in officer-involved shooting investigations. He has been with the department since Aug. 2011.
An investigation by the Officer-Involved Shooting Task Force is still underway. The task force is a multi-agency unit that includes members of New Mexico State Police, Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State University Police, and the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department is the lead investigative agency in the incident.
Information from Doña Ana County