New Mexico Police Officer Fatally Shot At Traffic Stop, Three Suspects in Custody

One police officer is dead and three suspects are in custody after a shooting during a routine traffic stop in Hatch, New Mexico, authorities said.

According to local news station KOAT-TV, Mayor Andy Nunez confirmed Officer Jose Chavez, 45, was shot in the neck Friday and died around 9 p.m. after emergency surgery at the University Medical Center in El Paso. Chavez was shot near I-25, north of Las Cruces, the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office reported.

"Another Hatch officer had just arrived at the traffic stop to assist the first officer when a passenger from the vehicle exited and fired shots," the department said in a statement.

Chavez was conducting a regular traffic stop when a passenger exited the vehicle and began firing shots at his police cruiser. The second officer chased the vehicle down the interstate. The vehicle then exited at a rest stop and jacked a Chevy Cruze. Ultimately, they shot the driver of the car in the thigh.

The carjacking victim was taken to the University Medical Center in El Paso for treatment.

The entire incident sparked a multi-jurisdiction response, including Border Patrol.

Finally, the vehicle crashed and the main suspect surrendered. He was also taken to the hospital for treatment.

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