PUBLIC SAFETY
Police fatally shoot armed man in Alamogordo
Officers shot man after he exited from a home with a rifle
Published
Alamogordo police on Wednesday shot and killed an armed man who was reportedly suicidal.
The incident unfolded around 11:42 a.m. after a person called 911 to report that 50-year-old Keith Cowgill was suicidal and armed, and three family members were inside the home, according to a Thursday news release from New Mexico State Police spokesperson Wilson Silver.
Police were dispatched to the home in the 1700 block of Alamo Avenue, and the three family members left the house while Cowgill stayed inside, Silver said.
鈥淣umerous communication attempts were made by the Alamogordo Police Department to make contact with Cowgill but were unsuccessful,鈥� he said.
Officers with the Alamogordo crisis team tried to speak to Cowgill through a loudspeaker to deescalate the situation and attempted to give him a cellphone but were 鈥渦nable to do so,鈥� Silver said.
At one point, Cowgill walked out the front door with the rifle, according to Silver.
鈥淔our Alamogordo police officers discharged their duty weapons, striking Cowgill,鈥� he said. 鈥淢edical aid was rendered, and Cowgill was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.鈥�
State Police will not identify the officers involved, Silver said. No officers or family members from the home were injured during the shooting.
鈥淣ew Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hroughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for review.鈥�
Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
