LCPD: Bicyclist shot by officer had BB gun that looked like a real gun

Las Cruces Police Chief Patrick Gallagher said the bicyclist shot and wounded by an officer on Friday evening was holding a BB gun that resembled an actual gun.

“The officers immediately rendered first aid to the cyclist,” Gallagher said.

The suspect, 29-year-old Myron Oveide, remains in critical condition, the chief confirmed.

“The charges are pending consultation with the District Attorney’s office,” Gallagher said. “He is still in the hospital. As far as his criminal history, at this point, we don’t believe that has any impact on what happened that night.”

On Friday, an officer in a marked patrol unit tried to pull over Oveide for committing a traffic violation on Chaparro Street, west of Solano Drive, according to the department. Police say Oveide ignored the officer’s commands to stop.

On Gardner Avenue, the officer got out of his vehicle and ran after the suspect, who was still on his bike, the report said. A sergeant then responded to the pursuit and attempted to engage the suspect.

Opeide appeared to brandish a weapon, according to a screenshot from the body camera. Three to four rounds were fired at the suspect, Gallagher confirmed. The officers ultimately learned he was carrying a BB gun that resembled a full-size SIG Sauer 1911 handgun, according to the department.

“Eventually, the officers were successful in removing the firearm from the cyclist and putting it at a safe distance,” Gallagher said.

The sergeant who fired his weapon is on administrative leave, which is standard practice for an officer-involved shooting. The Officer-involved Incident Task Force is investigating the shooting, the department confirmed.

The video from the body camera will be made available after the investigation is complete, Gallagher said.