By Kevin Hendricks, NM.News — A Torrance County man is dead after exchanging gunfire with sheriff’s deputies and a New Mexico State Police tactical team Tuesday near Manzano, following an hours-long manhunt that prompted authorities to order nearby residents to shelter in place.
Torrance County Sheriff’s deputies responded around 1 p.m. Tuesday to a report of shots fired at a residence in Manzano near Hwy 55 and Hwy 131, where a family member reported a relative was discharging a firearm on the property, according to a New Mexico State Police press release. Deputies made contact with the man at the front door and informed him he had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. The man retreated inside, returned armed with a .22 caliber rifle and opened fire on deputies.
State Police responded with a Tactical Team, Crisis Negotiation Team, Crime Scene Team and Investigations Bureau. The Crisis Negotiation Team arrived first, aiming to establish communication with the man, who was known to have a history of mental health issues.
The man fled to an adjacent property, where a second exchange of gunfire occurred. Tactical officers struck the man at approximately 5:30 p.m. Officers rendered aid until EMS arrived and transported him to a nearby volunteer fire station, where he died.
No deputies, officers or civilians were injured. The case remains under investigation by the NMSP Investigations Bureau, which will forward all findings to the district attorney for review. State Police identified the man as Edward Lopez.
MORE DETAILS
- A .22 caliber rifle was recovered from the scene.
- The man had a prior conviction for aggravated assault on a peace officer in 2020 and an extensive call history at the residence, according to NMSP.
- The shelter-in-place order covering the N.M. 55 and N.M. 131 corridor has been lifted, though police ask residents to continue avoiding the area while multiple scenes are processed.
- State Police do not determine whether an officer’s use of force was justified — that determination rests with the district attorney reviewing the investigation.
- Names of the TCSO deputies and NMSP officers involved will not be released at this time.