New Mexico Police to Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting

Sept. 30--LAS CRUCES -- An early-morning assault on an officer that resulted in a laceration to the officer's forehead and a gunshot wound to the suspect's abdomen is under investigation by the Las Cruces Police Department.

Isaac Gutierrez, 21, was "grazed" Friday by the bullet and treated at MountainView Regional Medical Center, and from there taken into police custody. Officer Edward Villarreal, a nine year veteran of LCPD who was involved in a shooting in 2008, was transported to Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, where he received 17 stitches to his forehead. Villarreal, 39, was released from the hospital and will be placed on paid administrative leave, standard procedure after any shooting.

Police were called out at 3:30 a.m. Friday after a domestic-related battery was reported at the Buena Vida Apartments at 1505 La Fonda Drive. Initial reports stated a woman was being physically assaulted by a man following an evening of drinking at an area bar.

As officers approached a pickup believed to be carrying the suspect, Gutierrez exited the vehicle and started to run from police. Villarreal chased Gutierrez into a dimly lit area near the apartment complex. Shortly after, Villarreal was struck by an object that deeply lacerated his forehead, and Villarreal responded by firing his duty weapon, striking Gutierrez once.

Villarreal was involved in a shooting in 2008, in which James Weaver, 25, backed over the officer, prompting Villarreal to fire his weapon. A jury convicted

Weaver of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and other crimes connected to the incident in January.

Charges against Gutierrez are pending but could include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer. As of last week, there had already been 46 incidents of assaults against LCPD officers this year.

The incident is being investigated by the Las Cruces Officer-Involved Incident Task Force, comprised of representatives from the New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana Sheriff's Office, New Mexico State University Police and LCPD. The task force is the primary investigatory body that investigates officer-involved shootings in Dona Ana County.

Ashley Meeks can be reached at (575) 541-5462