Alamogordo NM
1-16-2026 6:13am

Mayor McDonald & City of Alamogordo Release Statements Concerning Officer Involved Shooting in Alamogordo

In an effort to balance transparency and information to the community all the while not interfering with the two investigations into the officer involved shooting that occurred on Tuesday late evening, Mayor Sharon McDonald issued the following official statement...

Mayor McDonald: "I want to express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Blalock. Any loss of life is deeply serious, and I recognize the pain and grief this brings to those closest to him and to our community as a whole.

The Alamogordo Police Department requested that the New Mexico State Police lead the investigation into this incident. In accordance with standard protocol, the officers involved have been placed on non-disciplinary administrative leave.

The officers, the City of Alamogordo, and the Alamogordo Police Department are fully cooperating with the investigations. Incidents such as this require care, fairness, and respect, and allowing the investigative process to proceed thoroughly and independently helps protect the integrity of the investigations and the rights of the family of Mr. Blalock and the officers involved.

This is a difficult moment for our community, and this situation deserves careful consideration, clarity, and impartiality as the investigations move forward.

I also want to thank our community for its patience. Social media can be a powerful source of information. Still, I ask that everyone be mindful that, behind this incident, there is a grieving family, as well as officers and their families who are part of this process. No one benefits from negative or disparaging remarks, and I ask our community to approach this moment with empathy, restraint, and respect.

At this time, we will defer all questions regarding this incident to the New Mexico State Police."

The city of Alamogordo Police Department also issued an official statement:

"The Alamogordo Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones affected by the tragic events that occurred on the night of January 13, 2026. We also recognize the impact this incident has had on our community and all those involved.

On January 13, 2026, Alamogordo Police officers responded to a 911 call reporting a possible burglary near the 100 block of Virginia Avenue. According to the preliminary investigation, officers encountered an individual armed with a knife. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, the individual advanced toward officers, resulting in an officer-involved shooting. Officers rendered aid, but the individual, later identified as 41-year-old Anthony Zane Blalock, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The two officers directly involved with this incident have been placed on standard non-disciplinary administrative leave as we conduct a concurrent internal investigation.

At the request of the Alamogordo Police Department, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau is conducting an independent and impartial investigation into this incident. The case remains open and active.

The Alamogordo Police Department is committed to transparency, accountability, and cooperation throughout the investigative process."

These two official statements reflect empathy yet the seriousness of the incident and that officials are concerned with the truth all the while tampering down social media speculation and allowing the investigative process to move forward with dignity and respect for all involved. Stay tuned to KALHRadio.org and AlamogordoTownNews.org for further developments.

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