Shootings prompt Grants to cancel Christmas parade

The city of Grants has canceled its Christmas Light Parade scheduled for Saturday night, citing recent shooting incidents that reportedly targeted law enforcement officers, the city announced Thursday on Facebook.

The cancellation followed an incident Monday night, when a New Mexico State Police officer was apparently targeted by gunfire in Grants, causing damage to the patrol vehicle, State Police said Friday. The officer was not injured.

The 10:30 p.m. shooting occurred after the officer made a traffic stop at Santa Fe Avenue and Third Street, State Police spokesperson Amanda Richards said in a statement.

"It is not believed that the shots came from the driver of the car that was stopped for a traffic infraction," Richards said. "This case remains under investigation by the NMSP Investigations Bureau. The suspect is still at large."

Grants will instead hold a daytime Christmas float festival from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, the Grants MainStreet Project posted on social media.

A statement issued by the city indicated two other shooting incidents had occurred.

"In light of three recent incidents in which law enforcement officers were targeted during nighttime hours, the City has conducted a thorough safety review in consultation with local public safety agencies," the city said in a written statement.

The statement included no details about the shooting incidents.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the City of Grants strongly recommends canceling the Christmas Light Parade" scheduled for Saturday, the statement said. "This recommendation is based solely on our concern for protecting the public during evening activities and our responsibility to provide a secure environment for both participants and first responders."

Officials at the Grants Police Department and the Grants MainStreet Project did not immediately respond Friday to requests for comment. City of Grants offices are closed on Friday, according to a recorded message.