Car chase ends in police shooting

An officer involved shooting was the result of a car chase from Santa Fe to Clines Corners, involving law enforcement officers from Santa Fe County, Torrance County and the State Police. That’s according to a press release from the State Police.

According to that press release, a black Kia with no license plate fled Santa Fe after reportedly robbing a Starbucks, “occupied by a male and female suspect who were armed with a firearm.”

State Police and Santa Fe County deputies located the car in Santa Fe and initiated a pursuit of the Kia, which headed south on U.S. 285 from Interstate 25.

State Police and Torrance County deputies jointed the pursuit near Clines Corners, the press release says. “During the pursuit, the passenger ... fired multiple shots” at pursuing law enforcement.

“During the pursuit, a TCSO deputy, an SFCSO deputy, and an NMSP officer discharged their firearms at the suspect vehicle,” the press release says. “The suspect vehicle left the roadway ... and crashed into a tree.”

The State Police Tactical Team and negotiators responded to the scene. “The driver eventually crawled out through the driver’s side of the vehicle and was taken into custody,” the release says. “He was airlifted to an area trauma center for gunshot wounds.”

The female passenger was found deceased in the vehicle, and the Medical Investigator will determine her cause of death, and ID her, the release says.

No officers were injured in the incident, the release says.

According to the release, State Police “are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews.” It adds that the District Attorney’s office determines “whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters..”