EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 75-year-old man is dead after a pursuit led to an officer-involved shooting on Tuesday, May 6, in Truth or Consequences, according to New Mexico State Police (NMSP).
NMSP says at around 12 p.m., a state officer conducted a traffic stop on a white pickup truck, which was being driven by Dennis Ritchie Jones, 75, of Las Cruces.
The officer ran the license plate of the truck and learned that Jones had an active arrest warrant for a probation violation out of Arizona for sexual assault, NMSP said.
During the traffic stop, an altercation happened, and the officer fired at least one round from his pistol in Jones’ direction.
Jones remained in the vehicle and fled from the scene, and a pursuit ensued onto NM Highway 181, which is north of Truth or Consequences.
The officer ended up catching up to Jones during the pursuit, which stopped in the middle of High Winds Road.
The officer then gave commands to Jones, who fired at the officer, NMSP said.
The officer then returned fire, and after the exchange of gunfire, officers approached the vehicle and located Jones, who was unresponsive.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene, and the officer was uninjured, NMSP said.
The officer was placed on standard administrative leave, and his identity will not be released until the investigation is complete, NMSP said.
“New Mexico State Police act solely as factfinders in their investigation and conduct an unbiased and impartial investigation. In officer-involved shootings, NMSP thoroughly documents the scene, collects evidence, and interviews officers, subjects, and witnesses. In turn, NMSP compiles facts as detailed as possible and forwards all reports to the appropriate district attorney for their review. The New Mexico State Police does not determine whether an officer’s actions were justified; this determination rests solely with the district attorney’s office,” NMSP said.
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