Officer cleared in December shooting

The Doa Ana district attorney’s office announced that Sunland Park police Officer Mike Vega’s actions were justified.

According to investigators, back in December, Vega was responding to a domestic violence situation at a home in Sunland Park.

Vega tried getting 18-year-old Rafael Cervantes to let a woman and a young child free from a vehicle after he was using a knife to hold them hostage.

Cervantes refused to surrender and attempted to take off. Vega fired multiple shots and struck Cervantes once.

District Attorney Mark D’Antonio said, “After reviewing this case, we have concluded that the shooting of Rafael Cervantes by Officer Mike Vega of the Sunland Park Police Department was justified.”

D’Antonio cleared the officer after meeting with the Officer-Involved Shooting Task Force.

Charges against Cervantes are still pending.