Two Rio Rancho police officers investigating a noise complaint at an apartment complex shot and killed a 23-year-old man who they said was armed with a gun early Tuesday morning.
Daemen Perea, of Rio Rancho, died at the scene.
Lt. Mark Soriano, a spokesman for the New Mexico State Police, said around 12:30 a.m. officers were called to the Arrowhead Ridge Apartments, near the intersection of N.M. 528 and Leon Grande Avenue. When they arrived they found Perea on the patio of his apartment.
“Officers gave commands to Perea who was armed with a firearm to drop the gun,” Soriano wrote in a news release. “At that time, two RRPD officers fired their duty weapons striking Perea.”
He said the officers rendered aid until emergency medical personnel arrived but Perea was pronounced dead on the scene.
A RRPD spokeswoman said the officers were placed on standard paid administrative leave. They have not been publicly identified. No officers were injured in the incident.
“This incident remains under investigation by the NMSP Investigations Bureau, which works to independently determine the series of events that led up to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews,” Soriano said. “Throughout the process, investigative findings are shared with the district attorney for their review and consideration.”
He said the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office will determine whether the officers’ actions were justified.
Perea doesn’t have a criminal record in New Mexico, according to online court records.
Journal staff writer Gabrielle Porter contributed to this report.
