DA: LCPD officer’s actions justified after firing at armed suspect

An officer with the Las Cruces Police Department has been cleared following an investigation into three round he fired at a man who pointed a handgun at him as he responded to a domestic incident.

In a letter from District Attorney Mark D’Antonio, LCPD Officer D’Anthony Roohr was cleared of the shooting after the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office determined his actions during the September 23rd incident to be justified.

On the day of the incident, Las Cruces police were dispatched to the report of a domestic incident taking place at around 3:30 A.M. on the 1300 block of Lees Drive. Dispatchers were notified that a man, identified as Charles R. Campolla, was intoxicated and armed with a loaded handgun.

Investigators say Campolla, who was allegedly spotted armed by Officer Roohr and three other officers, failed to drop his weapon and show his hands when commanded by the officers. Video footage from the the officers’ lapel cameras show the suspect was given the command multiple times.

According to investigators. Campolla proceeded to point the handgun at Roohr and attempted to hide near the front driver’s-side of a parked vehicle. In response, investigators say Roohr fired three rounds that struck the rear of the vehicle.

Police indicated Campolla was not struck by the rounds and no injuries were reported.

After Campolla was taken into custody, investigators found a Glock 9mm handgun resting on top of the tire of of the front driver’s-side wheel well. Campolla later acknowledged to investigators during an interview that he was in possession of the gun.

Shortly after the shooting, Roohr was placed on administrative leave as the incident and his actions were investigated. He has since returned to duty.

Campolla has since been charged with a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault upon a peace officer and tampering with evidence. He was later charged with violating a domestic violence order after investigators discovered he was forbidden from possessing a handgun, due to an active order of protection previously filed against him.