*New Mexico State Police Release Information on Fridays Incident* Officer Involved Shooting Dona Ana County: On Friday September 19, 2014 at approximately 8:15 A.M., Officers from the New Mexico State Police attempted to stop a speeding motorist heading eastbound on Interstate 10 near Deming, New Mexico that ended with one deceased male subject. No Officers were injured in this incident. State Police Officers attempted to stop the vehicle for speeding when the driver accelerated and reached speeds estimated to be above 130 miles per hour. The vehicle continued eastbound for approximately 68 miles before reaching Las Cruces, New Mexico. Upon entering the city limits of Las Cruces, the driver crossed the median and was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 10. The New Mexico State Police Deployed Spike Strips flattening at least one of the vehicle’s tires before it exited the Interstate. After the vehicle exited the interstate Las Cruces Police Department was able to end the pursuit with a (Pursuit Intervention Technique) or PIT maneuver on Avenida De Mesilla just east of Valley Drive. The location where the pursuit ended is in a populated area of Las Cruces which includes both residential houses and commercial buildings. The vehicle came to rest directly in front several homes and at the entrance of a street leading into a cul-de-sac lined with houses. Several residents were evacuated from their homes but most residents in the area had to shelter in place as there was no safe way to evacuate them. Once the vehicle was stopped two passengers exited and were removed from the scene. One of the individuals was identified as Gregory Smith (56) from El Paso, Texas. The other passenger was an unidentified female. The driver William Smith (33) from El Paso, Texas remained inside the vehicle with what was identified by the officers to be multiple pistols. For approximately five hours Officers from the New Mexico State Police and Las Cruces Police Department attempted to reason with and negotiate with Mr. Smith to exit the vehicle. Mr. Smith stopped responding to officers and refused to have dialogue with them. In an attempt to reestablish communication and have Mr. Smith peacefully exit the vehicle, Officers attempted to deploy chemical agents when a New Mexico State Police Officer perceived a deadly threat and fired his weapon. William Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. William Smith’s criminal history includes the following: Possession of Marijuana Assault that causes bodily injury Assault that causes bodily injury on a Family Member Possession of controlled substance Prohibited weapon - switch blade Burglary of habitation and tending other felony Criminal Mischief Harassment The circumstance surrounding this incident are being investigated by the Officer Involved Incident Task Force which is comprised of officers from the New Mexico State Police, District Attorney’s Office, Las Cruces Police Department, Dona Ana Sheriff’s Department and New Mexico State University. Further information will be released upon the completion of interviews of involved officers.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 18:28:59 +0000
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