Early [Friday] morning, the New Mexico State Police was contacted to investigate an officer involved shooting incident for the Ruidoso Police Department. This incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on August 18, 2016 at a residence on Carrizozo Canyon Road in Ruidoso, after officers from the Ruidoso Police Department responded to a 911 call regarding an armed male suspect involved in a domestic violence dispute.
When Ruidoso Police Department officers responded to the residence, they were able to safely remove approximately fifteen people from within the residence. Occupants in the residence recounted the male suspect, later identified as David Klassen (29) of Brownfield, Texas, was intoxicated and had become violent and began threatening some residents with a rifle in his possession.
Officers encountered Mr. Klassen within the residence holding a .308 caliber rifle. Officers gave repeated commands to Mr. Klassen to drop his rifle. Shots were fired by at least one officer, striking Mr. Klassen.
Mr. Klassen was transported for medical treatment to the Lincoln County Medical Center and subsequently to the University Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. Mr. Klassen later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
This incident is being investigated by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau and the investigation remains active. The names of officers involved will not be released until interviews have been conducted. Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be referred to an assigned district attorney’s office for review.
(News Release from New Mexico State Police)
