New Mexico State Police are investigating the Nov. 5 shooting of Jaime Aguilar, 28, and the death of Shawn Anderson, 50, who was found at the location of an earlier shots-fired call.

Organ Mountain News report

DEMING - Three Deming Police Department officers fatally shot a 28-year-old man Thursday afternoon during a foot pursuit that began after a report of gunfire, while another man was found dead at the location where the incident began, according to New Mexico State Police.

The two deaths occurred Nov. 5 in the area of Spruce Street in Deming. State Police identified the man shot by officers as Jaime Aguilar, 28, and the second deceased man as Shawn Anderson, 50. The agency is investigating both deaths.

Deming officers were dispatched to 220 Spruce St. about 4:29 p.m. following a report of shots fired, according to a State Police news release issued Friday, Nov. 6.

A responding officer observed Aguilar leaving the area and relayed that information over the radio. Other officers began pursuing Aguilar on foot after he disregarded commands to stop, investigators said.

The pursuit continued to the area of 113 E. Spruce St., near Wells Fargo Bank.

During the encounter, three Deming police officers fired their duty weapons, striking Aguilar. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.

Investigators reported finding a firearm at the scene but did not specify whether Aguilar was holding or using the weapon when officers fired. State Police also did not describe what immediately preceded the officers' decision to shoot.

Officers subsequently returned to the original location at 220 Spruce St., where they found Anderson dead.

The State Police release did not explain the circumstances of Anderson's death or establish whether Aguilar was responsible.

No officers were injured.

State Police investigating both deaths

The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau is conducting an independent investigation into the events leading to the police shooting and Anderson's death.

Agents are collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and reconstructing the sequence of events, according to the agency.

State Police said it would not identify the three Deming officers who fired their weapons. The agency referred questions about their duty status or any administrative actions to the Deming Police Department.

Investigative findings will be provided to the district attorney's office, which is responsible for determining whether the officers' use of deadly force was legally justified.

As of Friday's announcement, State Police had not released additional details about the encounter, the recovered firearm or the circumstances of Anderson's death.

Both investigations remain ongoing.