10-02-2024 5:19am

Officer Involved Shooting in Valencia County DWI Checkpoints Planned and More

Chris Edwards Editor

State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols; and registration, insurance, and driver's license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during October 2024.

The New Mexico state police report that they are bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.

Per their reporting checkpoints are helping to change society's attitude about driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

Hundreds of lives could be saved each year if every driver had the courage to
make the right decision not to drive impaired.

Who:
New Mexico State Police

What:
Sobriety Checkpoints, Saturation Patrols, and Registration/Insurance/DL
Checkpoints

When:
October 2024

Where:
All New Mexico Counties

Why:
So, we can ENDWI+ in New Mexico
On September 29, 2024, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested by the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer-involved shooting (OIS) involving a Valencia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) deputy.

And State Police agents investigating an officer involved shooting when they learned and released that at approximately 10:30 p.m., deputies arrived at the 100 block of La Ladera after hearing shots fired, stemming from a neighbor disturbance earlier in the day. VSCO deputies observed one person firing a weapon in the direction of another residence. At least one deputy discharged their firearm at Michael Gabaldon, 51, who was struck and later succumbed to his injuries. No law enforcement officers were injured.

The names of the deputies involved will not be released by the State Police. Contact VCSO for information on the officers' names, their duty statuses, and any administrative actions taken. The New Mexico State Police act solely as factfinders in their investigations and conduct an unbiased and impartial investigation.

In officer-involved shootings, NMSP thoroughly documents the scene, collects evidence, and interviews officers, subjects, and witnesses. In turn, the agency compiles facts as detailed as possible and forwards all reports and evidence to the appropriate district attorney for further review.

The New Mexico State Police does not determine whether an officer's actions were justified. This determination rests solely with the district attorney reviewing the investigation.

The New Mexico State Police officers observed 2 vehicles racing on Interstate 40. A driver and passenger of one of those vehicles were arrested after being located.

On September 30, 2024, the New Mexico State Police reported an incident occurred at approximately 1:15 a.m., an NMSP officer observed 2 vehicles racing in excess of 120 miles per hour, westbound on Interstate 40 after driving recklessly through Albuquerque. Albuquerque Police Department had their helicopter unit up (AIR 2) and assisted in tracking one of the vehicles, a 2015 Dodge passenger vehicle, from above. The vehicle traveled to Moriarty before fleeing a gas station when they were seen by another NMSP officer. Air 2 continued following the vehicle and NMSP officers were able to successfully stop stick the drivers side tires of the vehicle before it merged onto I40.

The vehicle began driving on I40 before the Edgewood Police Department was able to successfully stop stick the passenger side tires. After the second set of stop sticks were deployed, the vehicle rear ended a semi-truck and became disabled. The driver and passenger fled the scene on foot but were shortly taken into custody without further incident. No injuries were reported in this incident.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Jaymin Giron (20). He was charged with aggravated DWI, aggravated fleeing, and resisting evading an officer. The passenger was identified as Eva Fernandez Montoya (18). She was charged with resisting evading an officer. They were both housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

We would like to recognize Albuquerque Police Department’s air unit for their help in removing Giron and his dangerous driving habits from our roads.

On September 27th, 2024, New Mexico State Police conducted an operation on US Highway 70, covering Lincoln, Otero, and Chavez Counties.

The purpose of the operation was to curb aggressive driving and show a heavy presence of law enforcement officers, as this highway stretch experiences a high number of fatal crashes and crashes with injuries. During the 9-hour operation, New Mexico State Police issued 171 citations and made 1 misdemeanor warrant arrest.

New Mexico State Police remains committed to enforcing the state's traffic laws to ensure motorists' safety and reduce crashes throughout the state and will continue to conduct operations throughout the rest of the year.