Shootout, wounding reported in I-40 chase

TUCUMCARI — A chase across state lines ended with a shootout between a Texas state trooper and a suspect early Monday morning, according to a spokeswoman for the New Mexico State Police Department.

Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo said that around 4:30 a.m. Amarillo police had attempted a traffic stop in Amarillo, but the driver, 33-yearold Mario Montes, sped west on Interstate 40 to eastern New Mexico. Other agencies joined the chase.

She said Montes fired on police after his SUV was disabled in San Jon and a trooper returned fire, shooting him in the abdomen. He was airlifted to a Texas hospital where he is in critical but stable condition. No officers were injured.

Three other people were taken into custody for questioning, and one was arrested on an open warrant.