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Officer Kills Suspect in NM Traffic Stop

On May 6, 2025, at about 12:09 p.m., a New Mexico State Police officer pulled over a white GMC pickup truck driven by 75-year-old Dennis Ritchie Jones of Las Cruces during a routine traffic stop in Truth or Consequences. Officers learned that Jones had an active arrest warrant from Arizona for a probation violation related to a sexual assault charge.

During the stop, a confrontation occurred, and the officer discharged at least one round from his duty-issued pistol. Jones remained inside the vehicle and fled. The officer pursued the vehicle onto NM Highway 181 and eventually caught up when the truck stopped on High Winds Road. After receiving commands to stop, Jones began firing at the officer. The officer responded with his duty-issued rifle. Following the exchange, officers found Jones unresponsive in the vehicle, and he was pronounced dead at the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.

The officer involved was not injured and has been placed on standard administrative leave pending the completion of interviews. The identity of the officer has not been released. The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau is conducting a full, impartial investigation into the incident. All evidence and reports will be forwarded to the appropriate district attorney for review.

Source: NMSP

Source Type: Police

Source Location: Santa Fe

May 7, 2025 at 11:45 AM

Police