Las Cruces police held a news conference Wednesday where Chief Jeremy Story provided more details and video of the officer-involved shooting that took place April 24 on east Lohman Avenue.
The shooting, which resulted in the death of 45-year-old David Gallegos Jr., the subject of a Metro Narcotics investigation, occurred about 2 p.m. Friday, April 24, 2026, near the 2300 block of east Lohman Avenue.
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. The agents had credible information that Gallegos was in possession of narcotics at the time of the incident.
Metro Narcotics also had a drone flying above the area as part of their surveillance of Gallegos.
On Friday, the agents followed Gallegos to the McDonald’s restaurant on Lohman Avenue. The investigation has revealed that Gallegos exited his maroon Dodge pickup and confronted another driver before entering the restaurant. 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. Video evidence shows Gallegos reach for his firearm as the agents exited their unit.
One of the agents announced they are law enforcement and discharged his firearm shortly after Gallegos reached for the gun tucked in his waistband. Marked LCPD units quickly responded to the scene and officers attempted life-saving measures on Gallegos. He was pronounced deceased on scene.
The firearm Gallegos was carrying, a loaded 9mm handgun, fell to the ground and was recovered by police. A search warrant conducted on the Dodge pickup Gallegos was driving uncovered 1.13 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 500 fentanyl pills and 20 grams of powdered fentanyl.
Two individuals sitting in Gallegos’ vehicle, a man and woman, were temporarily detained. They were interviewed by detectives and subsequently released.
Gallegos was a convicted felon on probation at the time of the incident. As a convicted felon, it is illegal to own or possess a firearm or ammunition.
The Las Cruces-Doña Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency is the leading organization in southern New Mexico combatting drug trafficking and dealing. Metro Narcotics is a joint agency and includes personnel from the Las Cruces Police Department, Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police.
Metro, operated under a joint powers agreement between LCPD, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police, has three supervisors and 12 agents.
As is protocol for such an incident, the Metro agent who discharged his firearm has been placed on standard administrative leave as the investigation proceeds.
The shooting remains under investigation by the Officer-Involved Incident Task Force. The task force includes investigators from New Mexico State Police, the Las Cruces Police Department, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State University Police. The task force gathers facts and presents them to the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review.
Wednesday’s news conference can be viewed on LCPD’s Facebook page and on the City’s YouTube channel.
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