EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A 41-year-old man is dead after he fled a traffic stop that led to an officer-involved shooting involving the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) on Thursday night, Aug. 29, the New Mexico State Police announced in a news release.
NMSP Investigations Bureau agents learned that at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 29, a NMSP officer conducted a traffic stop on a truck at U.S. 54 near Mile Most 75.
During the traffic stop, the officer observed multiple firearms on the dashboard of the vehicle, according to NMSP.
NMSP said the driver, Wallace Gonzales, 41, made threats saying he was going to shoot the officer before fleeing from the traffic stop and a pursuit started.
The pursuit ended when Gonzales pulled into the White Sands Mall parking lot in Alamogordo, according to NMSP.
The Las Cruces Police Department SWAT team and NMSP Tactical Team responded to the scene.
NMSP said officers began communication with Gonzales for approximately three hours in an attempt to “de-escalate” the situation and have him exit the truck peacefully.
Gonzales still refused to obey officers’ commands, according to NMSP.
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,” according to NMSP.
NMSP said as officers approached the truck, Gonzales was found unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound. He also had a firearm in each hand.
Once the weapons were secured, paramedics rendered aid, but Gonzales died from his injuries at the scene. No officers were injured during this incident, according to NMSP.
NMSP said agents are investigating the series of events leading to the shooting.
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