NMSP: Suspect killed in shooting involving Taos police

TAOS, N.M. – A Taos police officer ended up shooting a man after he shot another officer. The shooting put many other people in danger at a busy intersection Saturday. 

New Mexico State Police say the officer who was shot has been released from the hospital, but the suspect has died.

State police identified the suspect as 26-year-old Lance Aguilar. They say he pulled out his gun first when police responded to a trespassing call.

NMSP says Taos police and Taos Pueblo police responded to a 911 call on Siler Road Saturday afternoon. That’s where they found Aguilar and an unknown woman. 

Officers say Aguilar fired at officers, injuring one, and Taos Pueblo police fired back. They say Aguilar then took off running toward State Highway 68, and when he got close to the intersection he tried to steal a truck at gunpoint.

Police say he fired into the truck when he was unsuccessful. He then ran across the highway where he got into another shootout with Taos police. This time, he was shot and taken to the hospital, where he died. 

This wasn’t Aguilar’s first run-in with police. He has a criminal history dating back to 2014, and has been charged with everything from assault, breaking and entering, and burglary.

State police said they will not identify the officers involved. Taos police and Taos Pueblo police did not get back to us Sunday.

There is also no word on who the woman was with Aguilar and if she could face any charges. 

State police say this is an ongoing investigation.