The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau is stepping in to investigate after a Gallup Police Officer reportedly shot a man Dec. 10.
According to a NMSP press release, a 21-year-old man from Gallup named Jeremiah Gomez was asked to leave a residence and refused to do so. In an interview with the Sun, Jeremiah’s father David Gibson said his son was trying to get back into the house where he lived.
David said that Jeremiah had spent the day with his mother and drank a couple beers. When he went back home to his girlfriend and their two-month-old baby, his girlfriend reportedly wouldn’t let him into the house and she called the police.
Investigations Bureau agents learned that at around 9:30 pm, a GPD officer was called to a disturbance at 200 Western Skies Rd.
When an officer arrived at the scene and approached Jeremiah, he walked back to a silver Toyota Camry, opened the door to the vehicle, and a handgun allegedly fell to the ground.
David said his son didn’t have a gun. He said what officers believed to be a gun was actually the protective cover on his phone.
According to the press release, Jeremiah picked the gun up, took a fighting stance, and racked the slide of the handgun. He then got into the vehicle and fled the scene, initiating a pursuit. The GPD stopped pursuing Jeremiah after he reportedly left the city limits.
David said his son was afraid for his life.
“He was afraid they were going to kill him,” he said.
Later on, a GPD lieutenant observed a vehicle matching the description of the Toyota, and a second pursuit was initiated. A New Mexico State Police officer who was in the area was able to successfully deploy stop sticks on Interstate 40 near mile marker 25.
The press release stated that Jeremiah got off the interstate after at least one of his tires was flattened and drove into a Blake’s Lotaburger restaurant parking lot in Gallup. He got out of the car and reportedly tried to steal a white Jeep that was in the parking lot.
David said Jeremiah was actually trying to meet up with his sister at the Lotaburger, and that Jeep belonged to her.
At some point during the incident, a GPD officer reportedly fired at least one round at Jeremiah.
The young man was transported to an area hospital, then flown to a hospital in Albuquerque. His current condition is unknown. No officers were injured during this incident.
New Mexico State Police stated in a news release that they won’t identify the officer involved in the shooting.
Investigations Bureau agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for review.
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