Sheriff’s Deputy Shoots, Kills Teen During Beer Run In Mesquite, NM

Two cases of beer, three teenagers on the run – one of them, shot to death.

Dona Ana County Sheriff’s say 17-year-old Nick Dominguez attacked and threatened a deputy which cost Dominguez his life in what authorities say began as a beer run at the Mesquite Mercantile.

“[Beer run suspects] are usually subjects who have no respect,” Sergeant Joe Reynaud, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Investigator, said. “They’re not the normal shoplifter.”

The deceased teen’s uncle wants answers. He still holds at hope that there is some mistake in the investigation and that his nephew isn’t dead.

Dona Ana County Sheriff’s officials say one of their deputies responded Monday evening to a reported theft of two 20-packs of beer at the Mesquite Mercantile.

About a dozen visible surveillance cameras watched the incident unfold inside and captured the trio flee out the door after the alleged robbery.

After fleeing the store, Dominguez and the two other teens were spotted about a mile down the road near a drainage canal off Highway 192, sheriff’s officials said.

Investigators say the deputy confronted the three teens at the canal over the beer run, including Dominguez, who authorities say then attacked the deputy.

“We want to know for sure if it’s him or not, what if it’s somebody else?” the victim’s uncle said. “I knew he never carried no weapons with him, not even a switchblade or knife.”

New Mexico State Police say Dominguez tried to grab the deputy’s firearm at which time the deputy tased Dominguez.

Authorities say Dominguez managed to jump into the deputy’s patrol unit, shifting it into gear.

The deputy fired his gun at his patrol car, striking Dominguez several times, when he perceived Dominguez’s actions as a threat, investigators said.

“If we can’t make a reasonable shot to stop the action against us, then it’s not a responsible shot,” Reynaud said.

The family says the body has been transported to Albuquerque where an autopsy will be conducted.

“Guess it’ll hurt more when we get to see the body and make sure it is him,” the victim’s uncle said.

The two other teens allegedly involved in this case have been questioned. As of now, authorities say they remain persons of interest in the beer run.

Authorities say the deputy, a two-year veteran, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.