Wed. Sep 27th, 2023

NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE RELEASE INFORMATION ON JULY 6 STANDOFF

CLOVIS (KSMX)- New Mexico State Police have released more information on the standoff on July 6 involving Damon L. Smith, 42, of Clovis. Officers had responded to a domestic at Wallace Street where Smith who was yelling at officers from inside the residence.

Officers told Smith, from an open doorway, to exit the room. Officers said they heard what sounded like a pump shotgun being loaded. Verbal commands from officers, and obscenities from Smith, continued until Smith came out of the room, walked into the hallway holding what appeared to be a shotgun and pointed it at the officers.

Clovis Police officer Jesus Sarabia fired his department-issued weapon at Smith but he was not hit or injured. Officers then retreated for their safety and waited for the CPD SWAT Team to arrive.

After the SWAT team arrived, they began negotiating with Smith, who eventually exited the front of the residence and shut the front gate. Smith turned to reenter the residence and officers used a tazer to take him into custody without further incident.

A 12-gauge pump shotgun was found in the residence, which investigators believe is the weapon Smith pointed at the officers. Several other weapons were also found in the residence.

Smith was treated on scene before being taken and booked into the Curry County Detention Center on charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, aggravated assault on a household member and resisting, evading or obstructing a peace officer.

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