New Mexico State Police is investigating an officer involved shooting, which occurred around 1:15 Monday in Rowe, N.M. 

 

This incident stemmed from a 911 call that originated around 8:30 p.m. Sunday in Pecos, N.M. The call reported a male subject near Griego’s Market stated he was armed and homicidal.

 

New Mexico State Police officers responded to the call in Pecos. However, responding officers did not locate the alleged suspect near Griego’s Marget. Officers remained in the area and a short time later heard gun shots being fired close by. After hearing the shots fired, officers encountered what they believed to be the suspect’s vehicle. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, a red Ford Fusion, but the vehicle fled northbound on State Road 63 and a pursuit was initiated.

  

Officers lost sight of the vehicle but later located the suspect’s vehicle parked on the frontage road in Rowe, near mile marker 307 on Interstate 25. As officers approached the area, a barrage of gun shots were fired at officers. The responding officers were forced to take cover and called for specialty units to assist. Interstate 25 was shut down at mile marker 307 north and south bound for safety.

 

The New Mexico State Police Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and Tactical Team arrived to assist. During that time, a family member of the suspect arrived at the scene to speak with officers. The family member informed officers that the suspect was Rip S. Huntington, 36. The family member stated that Huntington had been threatening to commit suicide or “suicide by cop.” The family member put a CNT officer on scene in contact via telephone with Huntington. For approximately the next two hours, the CNT officer attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender with Huntington.

 

Huntington repeatedly informed the CNT officer that he was armed with an AR-15 rifle and a handgun. Huntington threatened to shoot officers and said he had plenty of ammo. During that time, officers heard the sound of a firearm being chambered. After approximately two hours, Huntington ended the conversation with the CNT officer and refused to peacefully surrender.

 

Around 1:15 a.m., at least one shot was fired by a New Mexico State Police tactical team member. Huntington sustained a fatal gunshot wound.

 

All details of this incident are being investigated by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau. When more information pertaining to this investigation is available it will be disseminated. The names of the officers involved will not be released until interviews have been conducted. All officers involved have been placed on standard administrative leave in accordance with department policy.