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Update: NMSP officer shot in an unprovoked attack on I-40

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CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. - When an officer approached a GMC pickup driven by a Scottsdale, Ariz. man on the morning of Sept. 12, she became the target of 28-year-old Robert Benjamin Nelson.

New Mexico State Police officer Sharron Duran was on patrol about 9:30 am on I-40 at milepost 130 near Laguna. She was parked in the median of I-40 when she saw a white GMC pickup following the vehicle in front of it too closely.

Duran initiated a traffic stop on the GMC pickup. The pickup was occupied by a male later identified as Nelson.

As Duran made her initial approach, she walked up to the passenger side of the vehicle. Without warning, Nelson fired multiple rounds at her through the passenger side door window, which was tinted and partially closed.

After being struck by gunfire, Duran was able to recover and return fire at the suspect. Nelson fled the scene and continued eastbound on I-40.

Despite having multiple injuries, Duran returned to her vehicle, gave chase and a short pursuit ensued. Nelson stopped on I-40 near milepost 135 and exited his vehicle. Laguna officers arrived to assist Duran, and Nelson was taken into custody a short time later without further incident.

Duran was transported to an area hospital where she was treated and released. Nelson was booked into the Cibola County Detention Center and charged with the following crimes:

 

 

Duran is also commissioned as a Federal Task Force Officer, so the FBI was involved in the investigation and charged Nelson with the attempted murder of a federal officer and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

Duran , who is assigned to the New Mexico State Police K-9 unit, has been employed for seven years. This case was investigated by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau.