A New Mexico State Police (NMSP) officer is lucky to be alive after the driver of a vehicle he stopped for speeding exited the vehicle and fired “at least 50” rounds from an AR-15 style assault rifle at the officer and his vehicle on Monday, authorities say.
According to NMSP, an officer on patrol in Farmington initiated a traffic stop on a black Chrysler 300 they had observed speeding.
“The suspect fired at least 50 rounds in the direction of the officer, striking the officer’s unit as the officer retreated to ensure his safety,” NMSP said in a statement. “The officer made a U-turn and attempted to pursue the suspect; however, his unit became disabled during the chase.”
The officer was not injured.
“Our officers face unpredictable dangers every day, and last night’s events in Farmington are yet another sobering reminder of that reality. We are grateful no lives were lost, and no one was injured,” said NMSP Chief Troy Weisler.
Although the suspect initially made good on his escape, agents from the U.S. Marshals Service, NMSP and local law enforcement located and arrested him without incident Tuesday. The Tri-City Record newspaper in Farmington reported that the suspect had no prior violent offenses, but was wanted for resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and criminal trespass in connection with a Jan. 30 incident in Aztec.