Staff
The El Paso Journal
Sunday, February 05, 2023 | 16:26
Alamogordo, New Mexico.– An armed man who tried to steal a vehicle, after having crashed the one he was driving, was shot by agents of two police corporations.
On Saturday, February 4, 2023, the New Mexico State Police Bureau of Investigations was contacted to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving the Alamogordo Police Department (APD) and the Alamogordo Sheriff’s Office. Otero County (OCSO).
Deputies learned around 7:09 a.m. that the Alamogordo Police Department (APD) and Otero County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) responded to the 1000 block of 16th Street, in reference to a single-wheeler accident. vehicle.
After the accident, witnesses reported that the driver of the vehicle attempted to gain access to a nearby residence and was seen getting into the owner’s SUV parked in the driveway before leaving on foot.
When officers arrived near 1100 Greenwood Lane, they made contact with the suspect, identified as Robert Gutierrez Jr., 37, of Alamogordo.
An APD officer and an OCSO sergeant ordered Gutierrez, who was armed with a firearm, to drop the weapon. Shortly thereafter, an APD officer and an OCSO sergeant fired their department-issued weapons, striking Gutierrez.
The APD officer and OCSO sergeant immediately provided assistance to Gutierrez until emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene. Gutierrez was transported to an area hospital in Alamogordo where he is being treated for injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. No officers or deputies were injured during this incident.
The Alamogordo police officer and Otero County Sheriff’s Office sergeant involved will not be named by the New Mexico State Police. For information regarding his service status or administrative actions taken, and information regarding the accident or charges Gutierrez will face, contact the Alamogordo Police Department and the Otero County Sheriff’s Office.
This incident remains under investigation by the NMSP Office of Investigations, which is working to independently determine the series of events leading up to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, the results of the investigation are shared with the district attorney for review and consideration.
The New Mexico State Police acts solely as an investigator in your cases and does not determine whether an officer’s actions were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney’s office.
Any available updates on this investigation will be posted online at https://www.dps.nm.gov/pio-news-release/.
