Susana Martinez Governor
Pete N. Kassetas NMSP Chief of Police
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2016
Update: New Mexico State Police Investigate Texas DPS Officer Involved Shooting in NM
San Jon, NM – Today around 4:30 a.m. CT, Amarillo Police Department officers attempted to stop a Ford Explorer for a traffic violation within the city limits of Amarillo, TX. The vehicle refused to stop and fled from officers. A pursuit ensued and approximately four blocks from the initial attempted traffic stop location, a male driver of the Ford Explorer pointed a handgun out his window and fired upon the officers in pursuit. The pursuit continued to Interstate 40 (I-40) westbound and multiple other agencies became involved to assist, including, Oldham County Sheriff’s Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. During the pursuit on I-40 the male suspect driver shot at law enforcement on multiple occasions.
At approximately mile marker 7 on I-40 in Texas, county deputies were successful in deploying a tire deflation device and all four tires of the Ford Explorer were deflated. The vehicle continued to travel westbound into New Mexico where at mile marker 372, just across the state line, the vehicle lost control and went off the roadway. The driver, who was later identified to be Mario Montes (33) of Amarillo, TX, exited the driver side of the vehicle with a handgun in his hand and began to run toward law enforcement.
Mr. Montes fired his handgun again, striking an Amarillo Police Department vehicle once. A Texas DPS trooper returned fire with his department issued weapon, striking Mr. Montes in the lower abdomen area. A .380 caliber handgun was located on scene in Mr. Montes’ possession. The number of shots fired is still under investigation.
Three other occupants in the vehicle were detained by law enforcement at the scene. They were identified to be Matthew Lopez (25), Rachelle Ayala (19), and Tennille Ramirez (26). All three were transported to the New Mexico State Police office in Tucumcari for interviews. Mr. Lopez was arrested will be booked into the Quay County Detention Center for two outstanding warrants on unrelated charges. All three face pending potential further charges related to this incident.
Mr. Montes was airlifted to Tucumcari and subsequently airlifted to Amarillo, TX for his injuries. Mr. Montes remains in medical care and is listed in critical but stable condition.
This incident remains under active investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau. The name of the trooper involved will not be released until all interviews are conducted. Further details will be released when they become available.
Sergeant Elizabeth Armijo
New Mexico State Police
Public Information Officer
elizabeth.armijo@state.nm.us
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