Roswell man dead after shootout with police

A man is dead after a shootout with Roswell police who were responding to a child’s 911 call Monday morning, authorities said in a news release.

Timothy Riley, 30, died of a gunshot wound to the head during a gunfight with police, according to a news release on the Roswell Police Department’s Facebook page. It is unclear if Riley was killed by police gunfire or if he shot himself.

According to the release:

Monday morning at around 7:30 a.m., a child called 911 and told the dispatcher that the child’s father had a gun. Police responded to the house on Oak Drive in Roswell and found Riley outside the home.

Riley then got into a vehicle in the driveway that police noticed had several children inside. After verbal warnings from police, Riley fired at least one shot towards officers out of the vehicle’s back window.

Riley then exited the vehicle, and an officer fired several shots at him. Police heard another gunshot and watched Riley collapse to the ground.

Riley was transported to a local hospital where he died of his injuries.

The Roswell PD officer involved in the shooting was placed on administrative leave as the investigation unfolds.

According to records filed in Chavez County Magistrate Court, in March 2022 Riley was charged with felony child abuse after allegedly pointing a firearm at a child. Riley was also charged with aggravated assault and battery for striking a woman with a firearm and applying physical force during the same incident, according to court records.

The case was dismissed after the victim decided not to prosecute.

The victim also had a restraining order against Riley, according to court records. Riley was charged with a misdemeanor for violating that restraining order in June 2022, although the victim later chose not to prosecute.