A shooting incident involving multiple rounds of gunfire in the City of Grants, New Mexico, ended with a highspeed chase and the arrest of Grants resident Dominique Spicer, late Friday night. Police officers from the Grants Police Department were dispatched to the area around Santa Marina and Elm Park following reports of shots fired, near Los Alamitos Middle School. No injuries were reported from the alleged shooting.
At approximately 10:45 p.m. on September 22, Grants police officers began their investigation in the area following complaints from residents. Two community members flagged down police and reported observing a white SUV, possibly a Hyundai or Honda model, shooting in front of their residence and then traveling south on Elm. While the alleged shooting occurred near the local middle school, it was so late at night that students were not in school.
As Grants police officers were searching, they found four brass casings, used in .223/NATO caliber round, often fired from an AR-15-style rifle, were recovered in the area. Another eight shell casings were found near the entrance of Elm Park by other residents, according to the police report.
As officers were processing the evidence, a vehicle matching the description from eyewitnesses sped by the crime scene. According to the report, officers began to follow the SUV when a short chase ensued, the vehicle managed to elude the officers after possibly turning onto Gunnison Avenue, according to the police report. The vehicle was later spotted parked near the Jackson Apartment complex. Sergeant Wanya approached and detained the two occupants after observing movement within the vehicle.
Spicer, who was in the vehicle, was arrested and taken into custody without further incident. An AR-15 rifle, consistent with the shell casings found at the crime scene, was discovered in the vehicle. According to the police report, the gun was taken as evidence of Spicer’s involvement in the AR-15 shooting incident. The vehicle was secured and towed to the police department for further investigation.
After a search warrant was executed, the AR-15 rifle, caliber for .223/5.56, was officially retrieved from the vehicle. The weapon was checked for any outstanding wants and warrants but none came back after police ran the firearm’s serial number.
Spicer was transported to the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, New Mexico for incarceration. As police continue their investigation, they are looking to understand the motive for the shooting.