NM State Police: Troopers shoot and kill man who opened fire during standoff

New Mexico State Police shot and killed man who allegedly fired at officers during a standoff Thursday morning.

The man barricaded himself inside his vehicle for nearly 12 hours on U.S. 380 and threatened to kill himself, according to a New Mexico Department of Public Safety news release.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies first encountered the man during a domestic dispute in Capitan, N.M. They said the man left in a vehicle, which led to a pursuit that ended when deputies deployed a tire deflation device in Carrizozo.

The man, who was only described as being suicidal, refused several orders get out of the vehicle and, instead, pointed the gun at his head and threatened to kill himself, state police said.

Deputies called state police, who dispatched a Police Crisis Negotiations Team, Bomb Squad, and Tactical Team were called to assist and negotiate.

However, the man waved a weapon and fired at the police vehicles, state police said, adding that about 7:30 a.m. Thursday, the man allegedly fired a officers, who returned fire killing the man.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

New Mexico State Police continues to investigate the shooting.