Murder fugitive killed in shootout with Border Patrol after running southern New Mexico checkpoint

HATCH, New Mexico -- A murder fugitive was shot and killed following an exchange of gunfire with U.S. Border Patrol agents during a chase of a car that ran an immigration checkpoint along Highway 185 near Hatch on Wednesday, authorities said.

New Mexico Highway 26 was closed for hours at milepost 23, near where that pursuit ended by the windmill farms. Traffic was diverted at both Castaneda Road and Highway 180 toward Deming.

Authorities indicated the man in the car that ran the checkpoint opened fire on agents, who then returned fire; the man was wounded and taken to a hospital where he later died.

No border agents were wounded in the gun battle.

Border Patrol officials also said it was possible that the fugitive may have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as opposed to being wounded in the shootout.

Authorities indicated the man was wanted for murder in Iowa, but didn’t release his name. They also said a woman with him in the vehicle was taken into custody.