Man with gun critically wounded after being shot by Doña Ana County Sheriff’s deputy

A Doña Ana County Sheriff’s deputy shot and critically wounded a 36-year-old man who authorities said Wednesday had approached the deputy carrying a gun.

The shooting happened late Tuesday night in the 6600 block of Chula Vista Road near the intersection of Peachtree Hills Road in the East Mesa area.

Officials said the deputy was among multiple officers from the sheriff’s office and Las Cruces police who had responded to a report of shots fired in the residential neighborhood.

“Just after 11 p.m., one deputy reported seeing an unknown male with a gun approach the deputies. For reasons still under investigation, the deputy fired at the man,” said sheriff’s office spokesperson Kelly Jameson.

The wounded man, who was shot at least once and possibly several times, remained in critical condition Wednesday evening at an El Paso hospital after being flown there from the shooting scene. His identity was not released.

The deputy who opened fire was placed on paid administrative leave, officials said, until an officer-involved shooting task force completes its investigation into the shooting. His identity was also not released.

KVIA 2019