The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau is currently investigating an officer-involved shooting incident that took place on August 29 involving the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD). The confrontation, which eventually turned fatal for one Wallace Gonzales, a 41-year-old driver, started off with a routine traffic stop initiated by a New Mexico State Police officer on US54.

According to the City of Las Cruces, the officer noticed several firearms displayed on the truck's dashboard, which led to Gonzales making threatening statements about shooting the officer. A pursuit commenced after Gonzales fled from the traffic stop, ending in the White Sands Mall parking lot in Alamogordo. Members of both the Las Cruces Police Department SWAT team and the NMSP Tactical Team responded to the situation.

Efforts to resolve the situation amicably lasted approximately three hours as officers attempted to de-escalate the tension and have Gonzales surrender peacefully. Unfortunately, the standoff culminated in an exchange of gunfire, resulting in at least one LCPD SWAT officer discharging their department-issued rifle.

Gonzales was found unresponsive in his vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound and a firearm in each of his hands. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator, post the weapons were secured and paramedics administered aid. No officers were injured during the incident.