On August 29, 2024, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD).
Source: City of Las Cruces (Las Cruces Police Department is sharing this news release issued by New Mexico State Police.)
Investigations Bureau agents learned that at around 7:30 p.m., a New Mexico State Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge pickup truck on US54 near mile post 75. The driver of the truck was identified as Wallace Gonzales (41). During the traffic stop, the officer observed multiple firearms on the dashboard of the vehicle. Gonzales then made threating statements that he was going to shoot the officer.
Gonzales fled from the traffic stop and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended when Gonzales pulled into the White Sands mall parking lot in Alamogordo. The Las Cruces Police Department SWAT team and NMSP Tactical Team responded to the scene. Officers began communication with Gonzales for approximately 3 hours in an attempt to deescalate the situation and have him exit the truck peacefully. Gonzales still refused to obey officers’ commands. At some point during communication with Gonzales, gunfire was exchanged and a LCPD SWAT officer fired at least one round from their department issued rifle.
As officers approached the truck, Gonzales was found unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound. He also had a firearm in each hand. Once the weapons were secured, paramedics rendered aid, but Gonzales succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator. No officers were injured during this incident.
The LCPD officer will not be identified by the New Mexico State Police. For information on their duty status or administrative actions taken, please contact the Las Cruces Police Department.
New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for review.
The New Mexico State Police acts solely as a factfinder in officer involved shootings and does not determine whether an officer’s actions were justified. That decision rests with the district attorney’s office. This incident remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.
