Full Statement: New Mexico State Police Release Statement on Arrest of Fort Sumner Shooting Suspects

At around 2 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, the New Mexico State Police published the following on Facebook:

Less than an hour later, the following was posted as a “Feature”:

UPDATE: SHOOTING SUSPECTS CAPTURED IN FORT SUMNER

The New Mexico State Police confirm that Jovan Martinez and Makaela Johnson, suspects in the shooting incident that occurred during a recent traffic stop, have been apprehended in Fort Sumner by the NMSP Tactical Team with assistance from partner law enforcement agencies.

We extend our gratitude to our law enforcement partners for their support and to the residents of Fort Sumner for their vigilance and cooperation throughout this incident.

Residents are asked to avoid the area due to ongoing police activity.

More to follow via news release.

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At around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, New Mexico State Police posted the following on Facebook:

A message from New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler following the officer-involved shooting, manhunt, and capture of the suspects Jovan Martinez and Makaela Johnson

Full Statement

New Mexico State Police arrest couple following an OIS and two day manhunt

De Baca County, NM- On February 23, 2026, New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents were requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving an NMSP Sergeant on US Highway 285, south of Vaughn in Guadalupe County, New Mexico.

Agents learned that the NMSP Sergeant conducted a traffic stop on a black Kia Sportage on US Highway 285 near mile marker 185 after learning the vehicle was reportedly stolen.

During the stop, the female driver, identified as Makaela Johnson (26) exited the vehicle. As the Sergeant was placing Johnson in handcuffs, the male passenger, identified as Jovan Martinez (40) exited the stolen vehicle armed with a rifle and fired at the Sergeant. Johnson ran back to the stolen vehicle while still handcuffed and entered the passenger seat as the Sergeant took cover behind his police unit and returned fire with his duty weapon.

Martinez and Johnson fled from the scene and officers lost sight of the vehicle. While responding to the incident, NMSP officers encountered a couple near mile marker 166, who reported that their vehicle had just been stolen at gunpoint. They stated that the suspects, Martinez and Johnson, were standing in the roadway, and Martinez fired at least one shot at the ground, forcing the victims to stop. The victims were ordered out of their vehicle, a grey Kia K5 passenger vehicle. Martinez and Johnson then took the second Kia and continued fleeing.

The original stolen Kia Sportage involved in the traffic stop was later located near the intersection of US Highway 285 and New Mexico State Highway 247. The vehicle left the roadway and drove through two barbed wire fences before coming to rest in an open field.

The second stolen Kia K5 was found abandoned east of the intersection of River Road and Lone Wolf Road, south Fort Sumner, New Mexico.

On February 25, 2026, following a nearly 48-hour intensive manhunt, Martinez and Johnson were located hiding in a shed and taken into custody outside Fort Sumner. They were booked without further incident for the following:

Martinez:

• COUNT #1 ATTEMPT TO COMMIT A FELONY, TO WIT: FIRST DEGREE MURDER (WILLFUL OR DELIBERATE)
• COUNT #2 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT UPON A PEACE OFFICER (DEADLY WEAPON) COUNT #3 RECEIPT, TRANSPORTATION OR POSSESSION OF A FIREARM OR DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE BY A FELON
• COUNT #4 CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT RECEIVING OR TRANSFERRING STOLEN MOTOR VEHICLES
• COUNT #5 ARMED ROBBERY
• COUNT #6 HARBORING A FELON
• COUNT #7 AGGRAVATED FLEEING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (NO INJURY OR GREAT BODILY HARM)

Johnson:

• COUNT #1 CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FIRST DEGREE MURDER (WILLFUL AND DELIBERATE)
• COUNT #2 CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT AGGRAVATED ASSAULT UPON A PEACE OFFICER (DEADLY WEAPON)
• COUNT #3 CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ARMED ROBBERY
• COUNT #4 HARBORING A FELON
• COUNT #5 RECEIVING OR TRANSFERRING STOLEN MOTOR VEHICLES
• COUNT #6 ESCAPE OR ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FROM PEACE OFFICER
• COUNT #7 LARCENY ($250 OR LESS)

“Our officers put their lives on the line every day to protect their communities, and when one of our own is targeted with violence, it is something I take very seriously. Let me be clear, any individual who attempts to harm one of my officers will quickly come to regret that decision and I guarantee they will be brought to justice. I want to thank our fellow law enforcement partners who aided in the swift apprehension of these criminals.” said New Mexico State Police Chief Troy Weisler.

“The United States Marshals Service is dedicated to joining forces with our law enforcement partners to reduce violent crime, “said U.S. Marshal David O. Barnett, Jr. “We are committed to working together to improve the lives of our New Mexico communities.”

No officers were injured during this incident. This incident remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Investigations Bureau.

The identity of the NMSP Sergeant will not be released until interviews are completed. The Sergeant has been placed on standard administrative leave. 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.