NMSP News:

TAOS – The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was asked Saturday to investigate an Officer Involved Shooting in Taos involving the Taos Police Department.

Investigators learned that at around 3 a.m. Saturday, June 12, Taos Police Ofc. Gabriel Martinez attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Hyundai passenger vehicle for several traffic violations on N.M. 68 in Taos.  he vehicle failed to stop for Ofc. Martinez and a vehicle pursuit ensued onto Cruz Alta Road. 

After a short vehicle pursuit, the Hyundai crashed on Fernandez Road. At that point in the encounter the suspect, Antonio Olivares, 18, of Albuquerque got out of the vehicle and took off running.

Olivares stopped, turned toward Ofc. Martinez, and fired a handgun at Ofc. Martinez.

Ofc. Martinez, fearing for his life, fired his department issued firearm at Olivares. Olivares was struck by gunfire but was able to evade the officer on foot. Officers established a perimeter around the area and found Olivares a short time later on Gusdorf Place.

Olivares was taken into custody without further incident and transported to a local hospital for treatment.  He was later airlifted to an Albuquerque hospital for injuries that were not life threatening, and later released.

Olivares was subsequently arrested and is facing charges related to this incident.

No officers were injured in this incident, which is under investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau. Ofc. Martinez has been employed with the Taos Police Department for two and a half years.