Alamogordo Police Chief Daron Syling, in a news conference, said the officer, 33-year-old Clint Corvinus, was struck by gunfire Friday morning and died from his injuries at Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center. The officer fired at Moreno again, and the fatal shot struck him in the head, Armijo said.
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The suspect in that shooting, Jesse Hanes, was taken into custody after a dramatic auto pursuit, a carjacking and the shooting of a bystander whose vehicle Hanes stole, police said.
Police say Corvinus was on patrol with another officer Friday when they encountered Joseph Moreno, who had three active arrest warrants.
Moreno fired at both officers.
Authorities said Moreno had been arrested in the past for armed robbery, aggravated burglary, controlled-substance possession, firearms possession by a felon and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Authorities have not identified suspects in the shooting or released any other details stemming from their investigation.
The case and other recent events have led to renewed calls from Gov. Susana Martinez, a Republican and former prosecutor, to reinstate New Mexico’s death penalty. “The violence against our police officers has to end, and we must do everything we can to stand up for those who put their lives on the line every single say to protect us”.
As mourners left flowers outside the Alamogordo police department, law enforcement and members of the state’s congressional delegation issued statements to support Corvinus’ family and colleagues.
At the time of the incident, police say Moreno had three outstanding warrants for charges of possession of a controlled substance, two counts of burglary, and driving with a suspended license. Moreno was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect was also killed.
The police shooting comes only weeks after an OH fugitive gunned down police officer Jose Chavez in the New Mexico village of Hatch.
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A candlelight vigil has been scheduled for fallen Alamogordo PD officer Clint Corvinus on Tuesday, September 6th at 7 p.m.at the Otero County Fairgrounds located at 401 Fairgrounds Rd in Alamogordo. Lawmakers repealed it in 2009 before Martinez took office.
