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Update: NM State Police release name of man killed in police shooting

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Staff Reports

New Mexico State Police Sgt. Chad Pierce released the name of the suspect killed by at least one Gallup Police Officer, shortly before 1 am July 24.

Pierce stated in a news release, issued July 25, that when police arrived at the 300 block of Arnold Street, Alvin Sylversmythe, 29, of Gallup was wielding two knives. Sylversmythe was on the west side of Arnold Street, in the alley when officers confronted him.

"Subsequently, shots were fired by the officers and the suspect was stuck," Pierce noted. "The suspect was immediately treated by EMS and transported to Gallup Indian Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased."

The sequence of events leading up to the officers discharging their weapons is currently being investigated by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau.

Pierce said the names of the six officers involved with the shooting, but now placed on paid administrative leave, will not be released until interviews have been conducted.  Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be referred to an assigned district attorney's office for review.

Sylversmythe has some past run-ins with the law. According to New Mexico Courts website, in January, he was charged for residential burglary, larceny, and criminal damage to the property of a household member. The court's registration of activity list, shows a "waiver of time limits" was the last update filed on the case June 29.

In February of 2012, he was charged for aggravated battery against a household member. The case was dismissed without prejudice. Other past court appearances involved vehicular-oriented violations and civil matters.

To learn more about Sylversmythe's life, the Sun reached out to an immediate family member for an interview, but the source declined to comment while the case is under investigation.

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