Grant County, NM – On March 25, 2020, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was contacted to investigate a police shooting involving the Silver City Police Department (SCPD).
On March 25, 2020, at approximately 8:00 p.m., SCPD Corporal Steven Delgado responded to reports of shots fired on Highway 90 and North Daniels Street in Silver City, NM. The reporting party advised he was walking on Highway 90 and North Daniels Street when he found a television still packaged in a box. While the male subject was contacting police to notify them of the TV, a subject in a white sports utility vehicle (SUV) shot at him. The male was not injured. After handling the call on Highway 90, Corporal Delgado was dispatched to the Snappy Mart on Hudson and Broadway in reference to a male who was shot. The shooting victim told officers he was shot by a person in a white SUV, later identified as Alex Altamirano. The shooting victim was airlifted to a trauma hospital. A third report came in of a male subject in a white hatchback brandishing a firearm at the Snappy Mart on 12th Street. As Corporal Delgado attempted to locate the white SUV, he heard Western New Mexico University Police call over the police radio of shots fired near 12th and Pope Street. Altamirano had shot at a black Honda Civic then drove east on 12th Street.
A SCPD sergeant traveled to the area of the parking lot of the First Savings Bank at 13th and Hudson. Altamirano fired several rounds from within the white SUV at the sergeant's unit, striking it at least once on the front right bumper. Corporal Delgado arrived and parked behind the sergeant's unit. He got out and fired two rounds at the white SUV with his department issued AR-15.
Corporal Delgado observed the sergeant take cover behind his police unit for safety. Altamirano drove out of the First Savings Bank parking lot and fled from the officers. As Altamirano fled, he continued to fire more shots at officers. Corporal Delgado re-engaged and fired his AR-15 rifle from within his police unit, through the windshield, towards the white SUV.
Other SCPD officers pursued Altamirano until he crashed into a gas pump at the Snappy Mart gas station located on 123 West 12th Street. SCPD officers and Grant County deputies gave verbal commands to Altamirano to surrender. Altamirano ignored verbal commands given by the officers. A Grant County Sheriff Sergeant approached Altamirano and deployed his department issued Taser, striking him. Altamirano was taken into custody without further incident. Two rifles were located inside the white SUV. Altamirano was not struck by gunfire during the shooting. He was transported to an area hospital where he was treated.
Altamirano was booked into the Grant County Detention Center and charged with the following:
1: Aggravated Assault (deadly weapon); or in the alternative, Aggravated Assault (With Intent to Commit a Felony)
2: Shooting At or From a Motor Vehicle (No Great Bodily Harm)
3: Aggravated Assault (deadly weapon); or in the alternative, Aggravated Assault (With Intent to Commit a Felony)
4: Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000)
5: Shooting At or From a Motor Vehicle (No Great Bodily Harm)
6: Aggravated Assault upon a Peace Officer (deadly weapon); or in the alternative, Aggravated Assault upon a Peace Officer (With Intent to Commit a Felony)
7: Aggravated Assault upon a Peace Officer (deadly weapon); or in the alternative, Aggravated Assault upon a Peace Officer (With Intent to Commit a Felony)
8: Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000)
9: Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer (Refusal to Stop)
10: Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000)
11: Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000)
12: Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer (Arrest)
No officers were injured during the incident.
Corporal Steven Delgado has been employed with SCPD for approximately 6 years. For information regarding administrative actions please contact the Silver City Police Department. Upon completion of the State Police investigation this case will be forwarded to an assigned district attorney’s office for review.