PUBLIC SAFETY
State Police identify man shot by deputies, federal agents
Incident began as law enforcement executed a search warrant of Four Hills home
Published
At least five law enforcement officers shot and injured a man who reportedly fired a gunshot from inside a Four Hills home Thursday morning.
New Mexico State Police on Friday identified the man as 56-year-old Victor Pena.
鈥淗e was taken to an area hospital to be treated for minor injuries,鈥� said State Police spokesperson Wilson Silver.
Pena was charged with one count of assault on a federal officer, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court.
The incident began around 5 a.m. Thursday.
Agents with the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with deputies with the Bernalillo County and Sandoval County sheriff鈥檚 offices, were executing a search warrant at a home in the 12700 block of Piru SE, Silver said.
Pena is a member of a local drug trafficking organization, and law enforcement obtained a warrant to search his home, according to the complaint.
Law enforcement officers entered the home after announcing themselves, Silver said. As agents swept the home, a single gunshot was fired from the second floor.
鈥淎fter the initial shot, there was a brief delay before a volley of shots can be heard and seen on the body worn camera footage,鈥� the complaint states.
Two Bernalillo County deputies, one Sandoval County deputy and two DEA agents 鈥渞eturned fire toward the source of the gunshot,鈥� Silver said.
Pena told federal agents he was not attempting to shoot anyone but rather to see if law enforcement would leave, according to the complaint.
鈥淚 did not see any police lights,鈥� he said, according to the complaint. 鈥淚 shot not to the people.鈥�
Silver said Pena complied with officers as he was taken into custody. No agents or deputies were injured during the shooting.
State Police did not identify any of the law enforcement officers involved.
Silver said the incident remains under investigation by State Police.
Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
