Four Gallup Police officers found themselves untangling several witness reports after an incident with a firearm led them to a residence on Lookout Avenue late Feb. 12.
Officers Matthew Strandy, Richard Rangel, Patrick Largo, and Sgt. Matthew Graham were stationed on a call on the 2700 block of Lookout Avenue when they heard a gunshot come from a residence across the street from them.
The officers created a perimeter around the residence. As they did so, they heard Dana Chandler, 33, of Gallup, shouting about dogs barking at a nearby residence.
Strandy, Rangel, and Graham went through a neighboring yard and laid eyes on Chandler shouting at the dogs while standing outside of his back door.
Chandler eventually exited the front door of the residence. Strandy shouted for him to stop moving, and to raise his hands in the air, stating he was a Gallup Police officer.
After explaining they heard the gunshots and needed to investigate, the officers were allowed in briefly to verify that no one had been injured.
Strandy spoke with witnesses, and were told that Chandler owns a gun. He was also reportedly intoxicated, and was angry about the neighbor’s dogs barking.
In the meantime, Chandler was standing outside of the residence, where he was actively resisting commands to sit in one of the marked patrol units at the scene. After considering the investigation and witnesses accounts, Strandy placed Chandler under arrest.
Chandler was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where he was disruptive and did not cooperate with the medical staff, the report states.
He was taken to a local hospital for a medical evaluation, and was later cleared to be taken to the jail where he was booked for negligent use of a firearm and resisting arrest.
