UPDATE: Vehicle used during Las Cruces high-speed chase allegedly stolen

The man suspected in Friday evening’s homicide on Sambrano Avenue was shot and killed by an officer after a high-speed pursuit Saturday, according to Las Cruces Police.

In a news release, LCPD Spokesman Roberto Gutierrez said officers were following up on Friday’s homicide, when they found a van matching the suspect’s vehicle description in the Las Colinas area. Gutierrez said the van was being driven by 23-year-old Nathaniel Montoya. Gutierrez said before officers could conduct a traffic stop, Montoya fled the scene.

According to police, a high-speed pursuit ensued throughout the city of Las Cruces. LCPD officers attempted to PIT (Precision Intervention Technique) the vehicle, but were unsuccessful.

The pursuit then entered the 1400 block of Lohman Avenue. Gutierrez said Montoya’s vehicle struck a parked vehicle in a parking lot and the vehicle was pushed into a pedestrian standing next to the vehicle. The 33-year-old pedestrian was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The van stopped in a convenience store parking lot. Several vehicles in the parking lot were damaged as they were struck. Gutierrez said at least one LCPD officer fired several rounds that struck Montoya. Police said Montoya was pronounced dead at the scene. The officer’s name is being withheld until the investigation is completed. The officer involved task force includes New Mexico State Police, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the New Mexico State University Police Department and LCPD.

According to the investigation, Montoya fled the Sambrano home in a Dodge Durango which was located later Friday evening off Bataan Memorial East, east of Roadrunner Parkway.

A woman told officers that she saw Montoya abandon the Durango and board a dark-color minivan that was seen heading east along Highway 70. On Saturday, at about noon, the owner of the minivan reported it missing and indicated that it was not running properly in the rain Friday and was left on the side of the road.

Investigators believe Montoya, in an attempt to elude police, stole the minivan Friday evening after leaving the Sambrano incident. There appears to be no prior connection between the owner of the minivan and Montoya, according to police.

On Saturday morning, LCPD sent out a news release asking for the public’s help on locating Montoya, after a man was found unconscious in front of a home on the 2300 block of Sambrano Avenue Friday night. Police said the 29-year-old victim, who has not been identified, was taken to the hospital where he later died.

Witnesses told police the victim was involved in a physical altercation with Montoya, who fled the scene before police arrived.