Initial reporting indicates that at approximately 2:45 a.m., on Monday, June 17, the Las Cruces Border Patrol station, part of the El Paso Sector, received a request for assistance from Las Cruces central dispatch after a Las Cruces Police Department officer had been shot by an unknown subject near the intersection of Lohman Boulevard and Telshor Avenue. A general description of the subject was shared with Border Patrol.
El Paso Sector radio communications relayed the request, resulting in the response of several Border Patrol agents from Las Cruces and the immediate geographic area. After locating the subject and attempting to communicate without success, Las Cruces Police Department SWAT deployed less than lethal means to stabilize the situation; the subject responded by firing at agents and police officers. U.S. Border Patrol agents and police officers from multiple jurisdictions returned fire, striking the subject. The subject was reported deceased at the scene. None of the Border Patrol agents responding were injured during the incident.
“U.S. Border Patrol agents answered the call from their law enforcement partners and risked their own lives to protect the public from this gunman,” said U.S. Border Patrol Las Cruces Patrol Agent in Charge, Matthew Calmes.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is cooperating with the Las Cruces Police Department’s investigation. Per CBP policy, the agency will also conduct an internal investigation of the incident led by the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility and DHS Office of the Inspector General.
Please contact the Las Cruces Police Department for any additional information.