Man provoked officer with BB gun, LCPD say

The man arrested last weekend on Embassy Drive after an alleged domestic dispute will be recommended for mental healthcare, according to Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story.

Story held a press conference Thursday morning to update the public on the non-fatal police shooting that occurred on Sunday, July 27. Police identified the subject as Dominic Martinez, 21.

Story said that at 3:42 p.m. Sunday dispatch received a call asking officers to show up to a residence in the 1900 of Embassy Dr. saying that he and his mother were arguing and that he was about to shoot his mother.

When the first officer arrived on scene, he got Martinez and his mother to come out of the building, Story said.

According to Story, Martinez had a realistic-looking BB gun in his hands and pointed the gun at an officer. The officer then shot at Martinez four times, but he did not hit Martinez, according to Story. Story said a later interview with Martinez revealed that he came out with the BB gun because he wanted an officer to kill him.

Martinez then laid on the ground and officers arrested him. During this process, Martinez thrashed around and wanted the police to hurt him, Story said.

Martinez had multiple run-ins with the law prior to this event including at least six suicide attempts, a possible assault, and ten Class III referrals as a juvenile mostly for battery and assault, Story said.

“This case really highlights some of the holes or gaps in our system especially when it comes to mental health,” Story said. “There have clearly been several opportunities for intervention, and we have not been able to get Mr. Martinez to a place where we can stop this cycle.”

Story said that the LCPD is pursuing civil commitment to get Martinez mental healthcare.

Martinez was charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer, assault against a household member and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer.