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Las Cruces police confirmed that a SWAT officer is on administrative leave following a deadly shooting in Otero County.
The shooting occurred on Aug. 29 after police said Wallace Gonzales, 41, fled from a New Mexico State Police traffic stop on U.S. Highway 54 near milepost 75. In a news release, police said the state police officer saw “multiple firearms on the dashboard of the vehicle” and that “Gonzales then made threatening statements that he was going to shoot the officer.”
A chase ensued, ending at the White Sands Mall parking lot in Alamogordo with Gonzales barricading himself inside his car. For three hours, police said they tried to negotiate with Gonzales but were unsuccessful.
At some point, LCPD SWAT became involved in the situation. Chief Jeremey Story told the Bulletin that LCPD SWAT regularly assists NMSP with tactical callouts such as SWAT situations.
“At some point during communication with Gonzales, gunfire was exchanged, and an LCPD SWAT officer fired at least one round from their department-issued rifle,” the news release said, noting that police found Gonzales had a gun in each hand. “Once the weapons were secured, paramedics rendered aid, but Gonzales succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator. No officers were injured during this incident.”
NMSP said they would investigate the incident and refer their report to the 12th Judicial District Attorney once complete.
LCPD has implemented a practice of hosting news conferences following police shootings but elected not to hold one in this case.
“The difference in this case is that the (police shootings) occurred while assisting the NMSP on their callout outside of the city, and they are the sole investigating body,” Story told the Bulletin in an email. “A press conference has been done when we are the primary agency (as a part of the Officer Involved Investigative Task Force) investigating the (police shooting), and we can ensure that we do not compromise the investigation. In this case, I do not want to interfere in State Police’s investigation in any way.”
