NEWS
State Police identify man killed in Torrance County shooting
Authorities say man was fatally shot by officers soon after he fired at deputies
Published
New Mexico State Police has identified the man who was fatally shot by officers Tuesday afternoon in Torrance County.
Edward Lopez, 69, was shot and killed by SWAT team members who responded after Lopez allegedly shot at a Torrance County Sheriff鈥檚 Office deputy.
Authorities did not detail how many rounds were fired by Lopez and law enforcement and said the shootings were still under investigation.
State Police would not provide the names of the deputies or officers involved in the back-to-back shootings. An agency spokesperson would not say if Lopez fired at State Police officers before being killed.
State Police spokesperson Amanda Richards said additional details would be released at a later time.
Deputies with the Torrance County Sheriff鈥檚 Office were dispatched Tuesday around 1 p.m. to reports of shots being fired at a house located at 15 N.M. 131 in Manzano, according to a Wednesday news release from Richards.
鈥淎 person called and reported that a relative, later identified as Edward Lopez, was actively shooting a firearm on the property,鈥� said Matt Broom, interim chief of New Mexico State Police, at a news conference Wednesday morning.
Deputies arrived and spoke with Lopez through a screen door, Richards said. Deputies told Lopez he had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for his arrest, and Lopez armed himself with a rifle.
鈥淎n exchange of gunfire occurred between Mr. Lopez and deputies,鈥� Broom said.
Deputies requested backup as Lopez fled to a nearby property, Richards said. State Police sent the SWAT team and crisis negotiators because Lopez had a history of mental health issues.
State Police followed Lopez to the nearby property, where an 鈥渁dditional exchange of gunfire occurred between tactical team members,鈥� Broom said.
鈥淢r. Lopez was struck during the encounter,鈥� Richards said. 鈥淥fficers rendered aid at the scene until emergency medical services arrived.鈥�
Lopez was taken to a nearby fire station where he died of his injuries. A .22-caliber rifle was found at the scene of the shooting.
鈥淚 will highlight that Mr. Lopez does have an extensive history, including several calls of services to his residence,鈥� Broom said. 鈥淗e was a convicted felon, and the felony was for aggravated assault on a peace officer in 2020.鈥�
In that case, Lopez was charged with aggravated battery and resisting arrest after he punched an officer in the face as he was being arrested during a traffic stop on Oct. 9, 2020, according to a criminal complaint filed in Torrance County Magistrate Court.
Lopez later kicked the officer in the groin as he was being placed into handcuffs. Court records show he pleaded guilty and was placed on probation for two and a half years.
Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
