Las Cruces deputy shot - A Santa Fe Sheriff's deputy has shot and killed his colleague during an alcohol-related dispute in a local hotel, Las Cruces police say.
The fatal shooting is reported to have occurred early Tuesday at Hotel Encanto, in the Southern New Mexico city of Las Cruces.
The Las Cruces deputy shot and his colleague were reportedly heading back to New Mexico after transporting a prisoner to Safford, Arizona. The pair are believed to have stopped at the hotel to spend the night.
Although it still unclear what may have triggered the shooting, Las Cruces police reports indicate that the late deputy, Jeremy Martin, 29, and Tai Chan, his 27-years-old colleague, were both drunk.
After visiting in at least three clubs on Monday, the two deputies are said to have got into a heated exchange. The disagreement between the two is believed to have reached a high pitch once they returned to their hotel lodging.
Las Cruces police spokesman Dan Trujillo said they arrived on the scene after receiving distress calls from witnesses who overheard the heated argument and subsequent gun fire.
The Las Cruces deputy shot, Martin, was hit in his back and both arms on the hallway while running into the elevator. Trujillo says that the police arrived to find Martin wounded and staggering off the elevator.
The wounded officer was pronounced dead shortly after he was rushed to a Las Cruces hospital.
Authorities have since apprehended Chan, who gave himself up without any hesitation. He was found in the hotel's stairwell close to the roof.
A glock semi-automatic, which authorities believe is the weapon used in the incident, was found close to the scene of the crime.
Santa Fe County Sheriff Robert Garcia said the whole department is in shock and are mourning.
Reports indicate that grief counselors are visiting the members of the county's "grieving law enforcement agency."
According to AP, Martin, the Las Cruces deputy shot, is married and has three children. He had reportedly been a deputy for over 2 years.
Meanwhile, Chan is currently been held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center without bail. His lawyer, John Day said the incident was still unclear and under investigation.
Day went on to comment about the Las Cruces Deputy shot, saying it is "a tragic day for everybody involved."
The wife of the Las Cruces Deputy shot, Sarah Martin, said her late husband was a great husband and father. "He had a big heart and gave everyone the benefit of the doubt," she revealed.
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