UPDATE: N.M. State Police shoot and kill suspect in day-long standoff
New Mexico State Police released further details on the officer-involved shooting that took place in Las Cruces on Friday.
Police said the incident began when a NM state police officer tried pulling over William Smith, 33, who was driving east on interstate 10 at speeds over 130 miles per hour from Lordsburg, New Mexico.
Officers later stopped Smith on Avenida De Mesilla just east of Valley Drive. Two other people that were in the car were able to get out of the car. One of the individuals was identified as Gregory Smith (56) from El Paso, Texas. The other passenger was an unidentified woman.
William Smith stayed inside the vehicle for about five hours. The report says bothNew Mexico State Police and Las Cruces Police Department attempted to reason and negotiate with William Smith to exit the vehicle.
Officers tried using chemical agents. A New Mexico State Police Officer later perceived a deadly threat and fired his weapon. William Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.
William Smith’s criminal history includes the following:
Possession of Marijuana Assault that causes bodily injury Assault that causes bodily injury on a Family Member Possession of controlled substance Prohibited weapon – switch blade Burglary of habitation and tending other felony Criminal Mischief Harassment
The circumstance surrounding this incident are being investigated by the Officer Involved Incident Task Force which is comprised of officers from the New Mexico State Police, District Attorney’s Office, Las Cruces Police Department, Dona Ana Sheriff’s Department and New Mexico State University.
ABC-7 is working to get more information on this story. Stay with ABC-7 on air and online.
