Valencia County, NM – On September 3, 2021, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was called to investigate an officer involved shooting involving the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) and the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO).
NMSP Investigation’s Bureau agents learned that on September 3, 2021, at about 3:00 p.m. VCSO deputies were dispatched to New Mexico State Road 6 around mile marker 19 for a suspicious vehicle.
When deputies arrived, they encountered a Honda Civic. At some point during the encounter a male suspect, later identified as Jose Angel Baca, 28, of Los Lunas, NM fired at the deputy who was struck by gunfire. Baca then fled the area in a white Dodge pickup.
The deputy radioed the incident to dispatch and a be on the lookout (BOLO) was aired for the Dodge truck. Additional VCSO deputies quickly located the Dodge and engaged it in a pursuit east on NM 6 through Los Lunas.
NMSP units in the area heard the radio traffic and assisted in the pursuit. Baca turned onto State Road 314 and crashed near the railroad tracks at State Road 314 and Davila Road. At that point, Baca exited the Dodge and began to fire gunshots at VCSO deputies and NMSP officers.
At that location, two VCSO deputies and one NMSP officer discharged their duty weapons at the suspect. During the exchange, a VCSO deputy was struck with shrapnel, and Baca was struck by gunfire. Baca suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI).
At the time of the incident, Baca had been recently released from probation for Aggravated Battery upon a Police Officer resulting in great bodily harm, Battery on a household member, and Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer during arrest.
The names of the officer and deputies involved will not be released until after they have been interviewed. The NMSP officer was placed on standard administrative leave. For information on the conditions and duty status of the deputies involved please reach out to VCSO.
The NMSP Investigations Bureau agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for their review and consideration. The New Mexico State Police acts solely as factfinders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney’s office.
This incident remains under investigation by the NMSP Investigations Bureau. When more information is available it will be released.
Information from NM State Police