Chase with police turned violent
A criminal incident that occurred in December has been clarified with new information released by Gallup police.
The City of Gallup announced in a Jan. 30 press release that the Gallup Police Department has begun its criminal investigation into the suspect of the Dec. 10 car chase which ended with an officer-involved shooting after the suspect allegedly brandished a firearm.
Police are investigating the circumstances around the car chase and the investigation will determine what charges can be made against the 29-year-old individual who was reportedly shot by the GPD. The man was released from an Albuquerque hospital, but the GPD is currently not in a position to comment on his condition.
During the incident, an officer from the GPD was dispatched to a residence on Gallup’s west side. The homeowner had requested assistance to have a man removed from the property. A GPD officer made contact with the man and began gathering information about the situation. Believing the man was intoxicated, the officer began making preparations for a breathalyzer test, at which point the man got into his vehicle to flee the scene.
As the man entered his vehicle to flee, the officer reportedly saw a handgun fall out of the man’s jacket, which he picked up before fleeing the scene in his vehicle. A vehicle pursuit followed, which ended at the 2600 block of Highway 66.
The man exited his vehicle and again tried to flee. As the man ran, he was reportedly seen again brandishing the handgun. At that point, the officer shot the man and officers on scene began immediately rendering first aid. There were no other injuries to police or bystanders.
The New Mexico State Police investigates all officer-involved shootings and Gallup Police needed to wait for the state investigation to conclude before beginning their own criminal investigation into the matter. The NMSP report, released on Jan. 26, makes no conclusion on the officer-involved shooting.
However, Chief Erin Toadlena-Pablo stands by the officer’s decision and says the officer is back on duty.
Staff Reports