Rio Rancho, NM – On Tuesday, January 31, 2023, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was contacted to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving the Rio Rancho Police Department (RRPD).
Agents learned at around 12:30 a.m., the Rio Rancho Police Department (RRPD) responded to the Arrowhead Apartments, located at 4515 Arrowhead Ridge Drive in Rio Rancho, NM, in reference to a noise complaint call. When RRPD officers arrived on the scene, they made contact with the suspect, identified as Daemen Perea, 23, of Rio Rancho at the patio of his apartment. Officers gave commands to Perea who was armed with a firearm to drop the gun. At that time, two RRPD officers fired their duty weapons striking Perea.
Officers immediately rendered aid to Perea until emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene. Perea was sustained fatal injuries and pronounced deceased on the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
The Rio Rancho Police officers involved will not be named by the New Mexico State Police. For information on their duty status or administrative actions taken, please contact the Rio Rancho Police Department.
This incident remains under investigation by the NMSP Investigations Bureau, which works to independently determine the series of events that led up to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings are shared with the district attorney for their review and consideration.
The New Mexico State Police acts solely as factfinders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney’s office.
Any available updates on this investigation will be posted online at https://www.dps.nm.gov/pio-news-release/.
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