Man dies after being shot by US Marshals in Clovis

A man shot by a U.S. Marshals Service officer Monday afternoon in Clovis has died, New Mexico State Police announced Tuesday morning.

Eric Gallagher, 24, fled officers as they approached a residence in the 2200 block of Echols Avenue, NMSP reported in a news release.

“During the pursuit, USMS Marshals deployed their department-issued tasers attempting to stop Gallagher. At some point during the foot pursuit, Gallagher brandished a firearm. Two members of the USMS discharged their department-issued firearms, striking Gallagher,” the release stated.

Gallagher died at Plains Regional Medical Center. No marshals were injured, the news release stated.

Marshals were attempting to serve an outstanding probation violation warrant and had identified the Echols Avenue residence as one where Gallagher frequented, police said.

The news release said the names of the marshals involved in the shooting will not be made public.

State Police was brought in to conduct the investigation.

“New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews,” the NMSP release states. “Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for review.”

The release stated the District Attorney’s Office will determine whether the officers’ actions were justified in the shooting.

“Once State Police completes their investigation, they will send reports to our office for review,” DA Quentin Ray said Tuesday.

No Clovis police officers or Curry County Sheriff’s Office personnel were involved in the shooting, officials said.

A witness who lives in the area told the Eastern New Mexico News that he saw police “chasing” someone and heard a loud “pop.” He said one person was detained by police and that an ambulance was on the scene quickly.

Police call logs show the incident occurred just before 12:30 p.m. Monday.

Online court records show Gallagher had a number of violent criminal allegations against him.

Most recently, an arrest warrant was issued against him in December on charges of aggravated assault of law enforcement and aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer. Records show Gallagher was accused of fleeing a police officer and almost hitting a police car “head on” on Dec. 8.

In November 2022, Gallagher was arrested and charged with aggravated battery against a household member. He served one year in jail following a plea agreement, records show.

Ray said Tuesday that criminal charges pending against Gallagher included abuse of a child and shooting at or from a motor vehicle. He was also on probation for an attempted second-degree murder charge, he said.

Correspondent Gwyn Del Toro contributed to this report.