Evaluation & Critique On New Mexico State Police Traffic Stop That Turned Into Shooting

On September 12, at about 9:30 a.m. a New Mexico State Police officer was on patrol on Interstate 40 at milepost 130 near Laguna. Officer was parked in the median of I-40 when she saw a white GMC pickup following the vehicle in front of it too closely. Officer initiated a traffic stop on the GMC pickup. The pickup was occupied by a male later identified as Robert Benjamin Nelson, 28, of Scottsdale, Ariz.

As Officer made her initial approach, she walked up to the passenger side of the vehicle. Without warning, Nelson fired multiple rounds at Officer through the passenger side door window, which was tinted and in the up position. After being struck by gunfire, Officer was able to recover and return fire at the suspect. Nelson was able to flee the scene and continue eastbound on I-40. Despite having multiple injuries, Officer returned to her vehicle, gave chase and a pursuit ensued. After a short pursuit, Nelson stopped on Interstate 40 near milepost 135 and exited his vehicle. Laguna officers arrived to assist the state police officer, and Nelson was taken into custody a short time later without further incident.

Nelson's parents pulled up behind the second stop and other officers after the chase. You can see in the video how

Officer was transported to an area hospital where she was treated and released. Nelson was booked into the Cibola County Detention Center and charged with the following crimes:

Attempt to Commit Murder (30-28-1 Second Degree Felony)
Aggravated Battery Upon Peace Officer (30-22-25 Third Degree Felony)
Shooting from a Motor Vehicle (30-3-8 Second Degree Felony)
Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer (30-22-1 Misdemeanor)
Officer Duran is also commissioned as a Federal Task Force Officer, so the FBI was involved in the investigation and charged Nelson with the attempted murder of a federal officer and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

Officer is assigned to the New Mexico State Police K-9 unit and has been employed for seven years. This case was investigated by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau.