NMSP: Pursuit leads to officer-involved shooting in Deming

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) — New Mexico State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting involving the Deming Police Department after a suspect allegedly led an officer on a chase and then drove in the officer’s direction.

Neither the officer nor the suspect were injured in the incident, which happened early Saturday morning, Sept. 14, according to State Police.

The incident happened around 4:30 a.m. Saturday when a Deming Police officer tried to make a traffic stop on a vehicle for allegedly driving carelessly.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Kassandra Castro, age 32, failed to stop and a pursuit happened, according to NM State Police.

The pursuit ended when the suspect drove through a barbed wire fence, struck a cable box, and the vehicle became stuck in loose dirt in a field off Highway 11 at approximately Mile Marker 31.

As the officer approached the vehicle, Castro was able to get the vehicle unstuck and drove in the direction of the officer, NM State Police said.

The officer fired at least one round from his duty weapon, State Police said.

Castro then surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident. Castro was not struck by gunfire and the officer was not injured during this incident.

Castro was booked into the Luna County Detention Center on the following charges: aggravated assault on a peace officer and aggravated fleeing from a law-enforcement officer.

Castro also had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of “dangerous drugs,” according to the State Police.

New 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. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for review, State Police said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.