FBI Albuquerque office oversees investigation
LAGUNA, N.M. - On September 12, a New Mexico State Police officer was shot while initiating a traffic stop outside of Laguna on Interstate 40. The victim, identified by NMSP as Officer Sharron Duran, was also working as a Federal Task Force Officer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation m Albuquerque, N.M.
The FBI took over the investigation in September, quickly charging the alleged shooter, Robert Benjamin Nelson, with a series of felonies. If convicted, Nelson could face 30 years to life in prison: l 0 years for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and 20 years for the attempted murder of a federal officer.
Recently, the FBI released dash camera footage and body camera footage of the incident, showing Officer Duran thrown to the ground after allegedly being hit by a bullet. Officer Duran quickly scrambled to her feet and discharged rounds from her department-issued firearm, ran back to her cruiser and called for assistance on the radio saymg, "l 've been hit" while pursuing Nelson.
Nelson was eventually arrested and booked at the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, New Mexico. He was seen on Sept. 14 in the Cibola County Magistrate Court by the Honorable Johnny Valdez, who dismissed the case without prejudice so it could be picked up by higher courts on Sept. 16. Prior to that, on Sept. 14, Valdez issued a 100 percent secured cash bond of $500,000.
The FBI continues to handle this investigation, which has been moved to the jurisdiction of the US Justice Department, The United States Attorney's Office in the District of New Mexico.
The alleged incident
NMSP Officer Duran was patrolling Interstate 40 when she initiated a traffic stop at mile marker 130 near Laguna, New Mexico. Officer Duran pulled over a GMC pickup, which was driven by Nelson who is from Scottsdale, Arizona.
Officer Duran approached the pickup where Nelson fired several rounds - unprovoked - apparently aiming for Officer Duran's head. Duran was shot at least once but managed to recover enough energy to return fire at Nelson, according to NMSP Officer Ray Wilson.
Nelson managed to t1ee the scene and headed Eastbound on I-40; Officer Duran returned to her vehicle - despite "having multiple injuries" - and chased Nelson. The GMC stopped near mile marker 135 and Laguna Police arrived on the scene to assist the injured NMSP otTicer. Officer Wilson said that Nelson was taken into custody without further incident.
Officer Duran had nonlife-threatening injuries and was transported an area hospital where she was treated and released. Duran was later identified as working for the FBI, as a Federal Task Force Officer.
The Cibola Citizen will continue to follow this story.