State police investigate Alamogordo officer-involved shooting

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (KVIA) -- The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau started an investigation into a shooting allegedly involving the Alamogordo Police Department.

Agents learned that on Wednesday, Alamogordo police went to a home on Alamo Avenue in reference to a suicidal man with a rifle, the NMSP said. Police identified him as 50-year-old Keith Charles Cowgill.

Cowgill's family left the home as officers responded. NMSP said Alamogordo police tried to contact Cowgill several times. Authorities gave commands with a loudspeaker, and officers later approached the house to try to give Cowgill a phone to use for communication. They weren't able to do so, NMSP said.

During negotiations, Cowgill allegedly came out the home with a rifle.

NMSP said four Alamogordo police officers discharged their weapons, hitting Cowgill.

Cowgill was sent to a nearby hospital and later died, NMSP said.

Nobody else was injured during the incident.

NMSP said it won't identify the officers involved in the shooting.

The NMSP Investigations Bureau will determine the series of events leading up to the shooting, which it will share with the district attorney.

According to the NMSP, the district attorney's office will determine whether the officers' actions were justified.