Alamogordo Officer Involved Shooting Suspect Deceased No Officers Hurt

Alamogordo, New Mexico – January 14, 2026 – The City of Alamogordo has confirmed an officer-involved shooting that occurred the evening of the 13th at the intersection of 1st Street and Virginia, resulting in the death of the suspect.

According to an official message released to the press by city officials, two Alamogordo police officers were involved in the incident. Both officers are reported to be safe and uninjured.

“Before you see any social media activity, we wanted to ensure you had accurate information,” the statement began. “This evening, there was an officer-involved shooting at 1st Street and Virginia. The officers involved (two) are safe. Unfortunately, the suspect did not survive.”

As per standard department protocol following such incidents, the two officers have been placed on paid administrative leave. City officials emphasized that this is a routine procedural step and does not indicate any wrongdoing on the part of the officers. The leave provides time for the officers to process the event, consult with union representatives, and fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

Mayor Sharon McDonald issued a statement reaffirming the prior message:

“Late Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, an officer-involved shooting occurred near 1st Street and Virginia. Two officers were involved in the incident and are safe. The individual involved died as a result of the incident.

In accordance with standard protocol, the officers have been placed on administrative leave. Both the officers and the Alamogordo Police Department are fully cooperating with the investigation.

The investigation has been turned over to the New Mexico State Police.

No further information is available at this time. Any additional details will come from the New Mexico State Police as part of their ongoing investigation.

The New Mexico State Police have assumed lead responsibility for the investigation, in line with established protocols for officer-involved shootings in the state. This independent review ensures a thorough and impartial examination of the circumstances surrounding the incident”.

No additional details about the events leading up to the shooting, the identity of the suspect, or the specific nature of the encounter have been released at this time. Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation based on unverified social media reports and to rely on official updates.

The Alamogordo Police Department and city officials have not yet announced a timeline for further releases or a press conference. The investigation by the New Mexico State Police is expected to provide more comprehensive findings as it progresses.

Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the New Mexico State Police. This story will be updated as additional official information becomes available.

Update provided by the New Mexico State Police - Alamogordo, New Mexico — January 14, 2026: 4 pm  — The New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau is leading an independent probe into a late-night officer-involved shooting (OIS) that left a 41-year-old man dead after he reportedly approached officers armed with a knife, ignoring commands to stop.

The incident unfolded shortly before midnight on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at approximately 11:42 p.m., following a 911 call reporting a possible burglary at a residence located at 101 Virginia Avenue. The home sits directly across from a dispensary on East 1st Street in Alamogordo.

According to the NMSP release, Alamogordo Police Department officers initially responded to the dispensary area and began checking the surroundings. A male at the residence alerted officers that someone was in his backyard wielding a knife.

As one officer approached the property, the suspect — later identified as Anthony Zane Blalock, 41 — emerged from behind an enclosed porch and walked toward the officer. A second Alamogordo officer arrived on scene around the same time.

When questioned about the knife, Blalock reportedly responded “me” and produced the weapon. Officers repeatedly ordered him to drop it, but he disregarded the commands and continued advancing toward one of the officers with the knife in hand.

Both officers discharged their duty weapons, striking Blalock. They immediately attempted to render aid, but emergency medical personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene a short time later. Neither officer sustained injuries during the encounter.

Further investigation by NMSP agents revealed no evidence of a burglary or any other individual present inside the home or in the backyard. Agents also noted lacerations to Blalock’s face and wrist that appeared to be self-inflicted.

The case remains open and active. As standard protocol in officer-involved shootings, the NMSP serves solely as factfinders, thoroughly documenting the scene, collecting evidence, and interviewing relevant parties. All reports and evidence will be forwarded to the appropriate district attorney for review and determination on whether the officers’ actions were justified. The NMSP does not make that determination itself.

The names of the involved Alamogordo Police Department officers will not be released by the NMSP due to the ongoing investigation. Inquiries regarding the officers’ identities, duty status, or any administrative actions should be directed to the Alamogordo Police Department.

This marks the latest officer-involved incident in Alamogordo, a community that has seen prior high-profile cases involving law enforcement, including a 2023 fatal shooting of an APD officer during a pursuit. Local officials confirmed earlier today that the two officers involved in the January 13 event are safe and that NMSP has assumed lead investigative responsibility per state protocols.

For the most up-to-date information, residents are encouraged to monitor official channels from the New Mexico State Police or the Alamogordo Police Department or released and verified information from AlamogordoTownNews.org. The investigation continues.

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