Las Cruces police narrowly escape death in pursuit, shooting incident involving wanted suspect

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Las Cruces police said officers were inches away from death when shots were fired by a suspect following a pursuit.

The shooting happened on June 21 in the city’s East Mesa.

"When it says narrowly missing him, we’re talking inches from the sergeant's head, both rounds exiting and passing by him," said Jeremy Story, the Las Cruces Police Department's interim police chief.

Police said New Mexico State Police were pursuing 47-year-old Bobby Charles Crawford, who had warrants out for his arrest.

He failed to stop for those officers, forcing LCPD to use a PIT maneuver to end the chase.

Once the car came to a stop, two shots were fired at officers.

Their windshield was shattered, and the officer was tangled in his seatbelt before he fired back.

Police said Crawford was hit at least once, and both officers had minor injuries from broken glass.

Police also recovered a weapon the suspect used.

They added the suspect's charges included attempted murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

"The officers came under immediate deadly force against the persons within five seconds of stopping the vehicle, and they reacted really similar to how they would be trained," said Las Cruces police Lieutenant Peter Bradley.

Police said Crawford was in the El Paso jail and were in the process of extraditing him to Doña Ana County Detention Center.

Crawford has been charged with two felony counts of attempted murder and three counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer.

He also faces one count each of aggravated fleeing, possession of a firearm by a felon, and shooting at or from a motor vehicle.