PUBLIC SAFETY
Curry County deputy and man get in shootout on Clovis streets
Man reportedly shot at deputies and police multiple times before fleeing to Texas, where he was arrested
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A deputy with the Curry County Sheriff鈥檚 Office shot at an armed man who reportedly shot at bystanders and officers on Sunday after a road rage incident, according to New Mexico State Police.
Eugenio Ibarra, 44, was charged with three counts of assault with intent to commit a violent felony on a peace officer, two counts of shooting at or from a motor vehicle and one count of fleeing from a law enforcement officer, among other charges.
He was arrested by officers in Bailey County, Texas, according to a Monday news release from New Mexico State Police spokesperson Wilson Silver.
State Police said the incident began around 12:26 p.m. when the Clovis Police Department got a call that a white SUV was following a pickup truck, Silver said.
The SUV followed the truck as it drove to the Clovis Police Department, he said. Clovis police learned that a shooting had occurred near the intersection of 14th and Mitchell St.
A woman told police she was driving with her granddaughter when Ibarra鈥檚 vehicle drove past them, according to an arrest affidavit filed in Curry County Magistrate Court. She told officers she heard a gunshot and noticed that Ibarra began to follow her and fire at her vehicle multiple times.
She told officers she did not know Ibarra and that they had no prior issues, according to the affidavit.
As Ibarra was chasing the woman, a deputy saw and began to pursue him, according to Silver.
鈥淒uring the pursuit, the driver of the Escalade, identified as (Ibarra), fired multiple rounds toward the deputy near the intersection of 5th Street and Meriwether Street,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he deputy then returned fire from his department-issued rifle.鈥�
Neither was injured during the exchange of gunfire, Silver said.
Clovis officers and deputies with the Curry County Sheriff鈥檚 Office continued to follow Ibarra as he fled at a high rate of speed into Texas, according to Silver.
He reportedly shot at officers multiple times.
鈥淚barra was ultimately taken into custody in Bailey County, Texas, where he faces additional charges,鈥� Silver said. 鈥淭he New Mexico State Police is working with the 9th Judicial District Attorney鈥檚 Office regarding charges related to the officer-involved shooting.鈥�
Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
