Man reached for loaded gun during Las Cruces narcotics probe
By: -----
Las Cruces, NM - Las Cruces police released footage of a deadly officer-involved shooting.
Police identified the man who died as 45-year-old David Gallegos Jr.
The shooting happened during a narcotics' investigation near East Lohman Avenue around 2 p.m.
Preliminary information from the investigation indicates that two Metro Narcotics agents – commissioned law enforcement officers – were surveilling Gallegos who was suspected of possessing and selling large quantities of methamphetamine, police officials said.
The agents had credible information that Gallegos was in possession of narcotics at the time of the incident, officials said during the press conference.
Metro Narcotics agents were conducting surveillance on a person when they attempted to make contact with him, and shots were fired during that interaction, officials said.
The video showed two agents approaching Gallegos in the parking lot of a McDonald's.
The investigation has revealed that Gallegos exited his maroon Dodge pickup and confronted another driver before entering the restaurant, officials said.
As Gallegos exited the restaurant, he again confronted the other man who was still sitting in his vehicle and was at McDonald’s to pick up a meal.
The Metro agents, uniformed but in an unmarked unit, approached Gallegos as he walked toward his Dodge pickup.
Police officials said Gallegos reached into his pocket for his firearm when he saw the agents pull up in a truck.
Story said the agents saw him reaching into his pocket, attempting to draw the weapon, and that is when the agents fired shots.
Gallegos then falls to the floor.
Story said the weapon found on him was loaded.