Tucumcari man accused of shooting at officers

A Tucumcari man faces eight felony counts after he was accused of shooting at city police officers Thursday after an attempted traffic stop. No one was hurt during the confrontation and arrest.

According to a news release Friday afternoon from New Mexico State Police, Lawrence Rivas, 26, faces these felony charges:

– First-degree kidnapping;

– Abuse of a child not resulting in death or great bodily harm;

– Two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon;

– Aggravated assault against a household member with a deadly weapon;

– Aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer;

– Receipt, transportation or possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon;

– Aggravated battery on a household member (third offense).

The kidnapping count was the most serious of the charges, which can lead to up to 18 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

About 4 p.m. Thursday, Tucumcari police officers saw Rivas at the Lowes Market grocery store in Tucumcari. Rivas, who was on probation, was wanted on an arrest warrant for cutting off his ankle monitor and domestic violence charges.

TPD officers saw Rivas get into the passenger side of a Lincoln sport-utility vehicle. As officers tried to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle fled.

The vehicle pursuit ended when the Lincoln stopped near Sixth Street and Laughlin Avenue in Tucumcari.

According to the release, Rivas left the vehicle and brandished a firearm. He dropped the firearm and brandished a second firearm, firing multiple shots towards officers as he ran east into a driveway on South Sixth Street. Two officers returned fire at Rivas.

After a short foot chase, Rivas was taken into custody without further incident on Sixth Street.

Rivas was not struck by gunfire, and no officers or bystanders were injured during the confrontation. Rivas was booked into the Quay County Detention Center in Tucumcari and awaits a court date.

New Mexico State Police, which is investigating, stated that identification of the officers involved will not be released until interviews are completed.