A man shot by law enforcement Thursday in the Lowe’s Home Improvement parking lot in Española was a suspect in a Dixon burglary and had brandished a gun, the Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office said.
New Mexico State Police is investigating the shooting, which involved the sheriff’s office and Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Police, according to a social media post from the state agency.
“Officers are ok. Suspect was shot. Details limited. Avoid the area,” state police posted Thursday afternoon on X, formerly Twitter.
The condition of the suspect who was shot is unclear.
Lorenzo Aguilar, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, said in a telephone interview the incident followed an alleged burglary at a residence in Dixon, a small community about 20 miles northeast of Española.
Aguilar said the vehicle, which deputies recognized based on the description, had been driving through Española on N.M. 68 and the driver pulled into the parking lot of the Lowe’s store.
“Our deputies were able to make contact with him on the roadway because there was a vehicle description that was given to us,” Aguilar said. “Deputies made contact. At one point, the suspect brandished a firearm and our deputies were involved in a shooting with the suspect.”
According to Aguilar, the suspect, who he alleged had brandished the firearm while outside the vehicle, was taken to Presbyterian Española Hospital.
Further information was not immediately available. State police said Thursday evening they would announce more details later in a news release.
The Lowe’s is located in the northern portion of Española at 407 Lowdermilk St., off of N.M. 68.
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