Police seek suspect accused of firing at officers twice
Man was involved in two chases, State Police say
New Mexico State Police spokesman Ray Wilson said 32-year-old Johnny Black shot at an NMSP officer during a pursuit Monday evening in Española and, upon further investigation, State Police discovered Black opened fire on a Rio Arriba Sheriff’s Office deputy during a June 7 pursuit, also in Española. Nobody was injured during either chase.
For both pursuits, Black is facing three counts of aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon, assault with intent to commit a violent felony on a peace officer, shooting at or from a motor vehicle and aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer. Black also has outstanding warrants stemming from a residential burglary in September 2017. Wilson said a State Police officer attempted a traffic stop Monday around 6 p.m. when the driver, later identified as Black, fled and fired a pistol out of the sunroof at the officer’s vehicle.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the officer did not hear gunshots but saw “bullets ricocheting off the ground” and backed off because he was “in fear for his life.” Police say officers found the vehicle abandoned behind the Holy Cross Church with ricochet marks on the roof and bullets embedded in the vehicle — but Black was nowhere to be found.
Officers later found a passenger, a 20-year-old woman, who told police Black asked her for a ride but told her he would drive.
The woman told police Black fired out the sunroof during the chase and pointed the gun at her when she “attempted to jump out of the moving vehicle.”
Police say the woman was “in fear for her life” and fled after the pursuit because she “feared being held responsible” for Black’s actions.
It was the second time this month that police say Black shot at authorities.
On June 7, Black fired at a Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s deputy who attempted to stop a car he was riding in near Española.
The shooting was discovered only after the deputy’s vehicle overheated the next day and a projectile “believed to be a bullet” was found to have pierced the radiator.
When deputies caught up with the driver of the vehicle, he told them he wanted to stop for the deputy and tried to pull over to the side of the road but Black “put the gun to his head and told him not to stop.”
Deputies say the driver argued with Black, who told him “he would shoot him” if he pulled over before Black leaned out the passenger window and fired multiple shots at the deputy’s vehicle.
State Police say Black may be driving a stolen white Kia with New Mexico license plate ACXB97.
“Black is to be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached,” Wilson said.
Authorities are asking anyone who sees Black or knows where he is to contact the New Mexico State Police at 505-753-2277 and speak with Agent Bennett, or dial 911.