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New Mexico police officer fatally shot, 'armed and dangerous' suspect on the loose

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New Mexico police officer fatally shot, 'armed and dangerous' suspect on the loose

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A New Mexico State Police officer was fatally shot near the city of Tucumcari on Friday morning, while police say the suspect is still at large and is considered armed and dangerous.

The officer was gunned down on Interstate 40 near mile marker 320, the New Mexico State Police said in a post on X just after 10:30 a.m. Friday.

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Details about the deadly incident are unclear, and police said they would provide further details later.

A police officer was fatally shot near the city of Tucumcari in New Mexico on Friday morning while police say the suspect is still at large and is considered armed and dangerous. (New Mexico State Police)

SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER SHOOTING NEW MEXICO POLICE OFFICER IN THE FACE

The police post was accompanied by a grainy image of the suspect, who police say was wearing a brown hoodie and jacket at the time.

A second photograph of the suspect was released by the New Mexico State Police at around 1:20 p.m. Police say he was last seen on foot on the I-40 Frontage Road at milepost 304 between Montoya and Newkirk.

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The Quay County Sun, citing Police Chief Patti Lopez, reports that the shooting occurred at about 5:30 a.m. this morning.

Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said “other injuries” were sustained during efforts to apprehend the suspect, according to the Albuquerque Journal. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

INTERNAL REVIEW SHOWS AGGRAVATING FACTORS IN NEW MEXICO OFFICER’S DEADLY SHOOTING

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said “other injuries” were sustained during efforts to apprehend the suspect, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

“This has to be an incredibly painful and horrific time for family and friends,” she said.

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Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina offered his condolences on X.

“I am heartbroken hearing the news of the [New Mexico State Police] officer shot and killed this morning. My prayers are with the department, family and friends of the fallen officer.”

A New Mexico State Police vehicle. (New Mexico State Police)

Police blocked one lane of I-40 westbound near the scene this morning while a rest area near Newkirk was also closed off, according to The Quay County Sun.

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The Quay County Sun reports that the incident marks the first death of a state police officer since 2021, when police officer Darian Jarrott was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Interstate 10 near Deming.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

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Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.

The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024. 

Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.

  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, was arrested and extradited to the U.S. from Mexico on June 2, 2026, in connection with a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles. (California Highway Patrol)

Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan. 

The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.

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In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.

The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.

The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.

Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved. 

Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.

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Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest. 

“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”

On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge. 

“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire

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NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire

The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

'Top Gun: Maverick' actor identified as victim stabbed to death in Tarzana

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'Top Gun: Maverick' actor identified as victim stabbed to death in Tarzana

The victim in a bizarre and deadly stabbing in Tarzana has been identified as 81-year-old character actor James Handy, best known for a recent role in Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick.” The stabbing happened around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 19200 block of Erwin Street in the West Valley area. Officers responded after receiving a […]

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