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New Details In Officer-Involved Shooting In Which Las Cruces Man Later Died

Benjamin Diaz

The New Mexico State Police has provided more details about the officer-inolved shooting in which a Las Cruces man later died from his injuries:

On November 1, 2019, at about 7:15 a.m., New Mexico State Police Officer Jantzen Duran conducted a traffic stop on a black Chevrolet Malibu for traveling 106 mph in a 60-mph zone on US 70, near mile marker 209, west of Alamogordo, New Mexico. 

During the traffic stop, the male driver, identified as Benjamin Diaz (22) of Las Cruces, NM pulled over onto the left shoulder of the median of US70. After Officer Duran identified Diaz, he returned to the driver’s side of his police vehicle to issue Diaz a traffic citation. Diaz exited his vehicle and ran toward Duran’s police vehicle. Officer Duran gave verbal commands for Diaz to stay at the front of his police vehicle. Diaz refused and attacked Officer Duran with a folding box cutter. During the physical altercation, Diaz stabbed at Officer Duran’s chest. Officer Duran feared for his life, drew his department issued sidearm and fired once at Diaz, striking him. Diaz and Officer Duran fell to the ground and Diaz attempted to disarm Officer Duran. Officer Duran was able to gain control of Diaz and handcuffed him.

Officer Duran was treated and released at an area hospital. Emergency aid was rendered to Diaz on scene and he was air lifted to El Paso University Medical Center where he later died from his injuries. The vehicle Diaz was driving was in the process of being reported as stolen earlier in the morning out of the Las Cruces Police Department, prior to the traffic stop.  

Officer Duran was placed on standard administrative leave. Officer Duran has been with the New Mexico State Police for approximately 2 years. He is currently stationed in Alamogordo. Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be forwarded to an assigned district attorney’s office for review.