Tuesday shooting victim identified

Police have identified the woman involved in Tuesday’s shooting on Burley Court as 45-year-old Teresa Gomez of Las Cruces.

 Preliminary information indicates a Las Cruces Police Department officer was on bicycle patrol near the 1300 block of Burley Court when, about 4:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, he made contact with Gomez who was driving a black 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer. At some point during the contact, the officer discharged at least one round that struck Gomez.

LCPD Interim Chief Jeremy Story said at a press conference Tuesday it did not appear Gomez engaged the contact with a firearm.

Gomez was transported to an area hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The officer sustained minor injuries that did not require hospitalization.

 The officer has been placed on standard administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

 Police determined that 38-year-old Jesus Garcia, a passenger in the Mitsubishi Lancer, had misdemeanor and felony warrants for his arrest. He was arrested and booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center.

 Las Cruces police and the Officer-involved Incident Task Force are investigating the incident. Additional details are limited and cannot be shared publicly until witnesses are interviewed and investigators can process evidence.

 The Officer-involved Incident Task Force includes investigators from New Mexico State Police, the Las Cruces Police Department, Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State University Police. The task force collects evidence, conducts interviews and is responsible for investigating the incident. Findings from the investigation are forwarded to the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review.