Officer Involved Shooting in Santa Fe: New Mexico State Police Need Public Assistance and Videos

Photo byNM State Police

The New Mexico State Police is investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting in Santa Fe as announced per a press release Sunday.

According to the release on September 8, 2024, at approximately 11:00 AM, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was contacted to investigate an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) involving officers from the Santa Fe Police Department (SFPD) and a deputy with the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office (SFCSO). The investigation is ongoing, and the details are preliminary at this time.

The incident began earlier that morning when, at approximately 2:00 AM, the owner of a 2015 white Jeep Grand Cherokee, reported his vehicle stolen.

At around 8:51 AM, Santa Fe Regional Dispatch received updates from the vehicle’s owner, who was tracking the vehicle using an Air Tag device. He continuously provided location updates to dispatch.

The investigation revealed, SFPD officers located the stolen vehicle at a McDonald's near the intersection of Cerrillos Road and St. Francis Drive. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver of the stolen vehicle fled, and no pursuit was initiated.

Shortly after, a Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputy located the vehicle on Guadalupe Street and attempted another traffic stop. Once again, the vehicle fled, with officers refraining from pursuing due to the proximity of a nearby parade staging area. Reports came in soon after, which described the vehicle as driving recklessly in the area.

The situation escalated when the stolen vehicle, driven by the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Justin Jimenez of Santa Fe, plowed through barricades near Sheridan Avenue, striking a portable toilet. Officers attempted to make contact near Nusbaum Street, where the first Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS) occurred. Jimenez continued to flee, disregarding additional barricades near Palace Avenue and Nusbaum Street, where another OIS occurred.

Jimenez continued to evade law enforcement, and two additional OIS’s occurred at separate locations before the vehicle came to a stop near East Palace Avenue and Canyon Road. At that point, Jimenez was taken into custody by officers.

Officers rendered immediate aid to Jimenez, who was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is still in its early stages, and criminal charges are pending from SFPD detectives. For the duty status and any administrative action taken on the SFPD officers and SFCSO Deputies involved please contact SFPD and SFCSO.

The New Mexico State Police acts solely as factfinders in its investigations and conducts an unbiased and impartial investigation.

In officer-involved shootings, NMSP works to thoroughly document the scene, collect evidence, and interview officers, subjects, and witnesses. In turn, the agency compiles as detailed a set of facts as possible and forwards all reports and evidence to the appropriate District Attorney for their further review.

The New Mexico State Police does not determine whether an officer's actions were justified in these types of matters. This determination rests solely with the District Attorney reviewing the investigation.

The New Mexico State Police is asking for the public’s assistance with any potential video or still footage of the events surrounding the officer involved shooting investigation. Please use the link below to drop any videos or photos. If you have information regarding the Officer Involved Shooting investigation, please contact the New Mexico State Police at (505) 841-9256 Att. Agent Victor Rodriguez.