For Immediate Release, September 14, 2024
Deming, NM – On September 14, 2024, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving the Deming Police Department (DPD).
Investigations Bureau agents learned that at around 4:30 a.m., a DPD officer attempted to make a traffic stop on a vehicle for careless driving. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Kassandra Castro, (32) failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended when the vehicle drove through a barbed wire fence, struck a cable box, and became stuck in loose dirt in a field off Highway 11 at approximately mile marker 31.
As the officer approached the vehicle, Castro was able to get the vehicle unstuck and drove in the direction of the officer. The officer fired at least one round from his duty weapon. Castro then surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident. Castro was not struck by gunfire and the officer was not injured during this incident.
Castro was booked into the Luna County Detention Center on the following charges:
Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer
Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer
Castro also had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of dangerous drugs.
The DPD officer will not be identified by the New Mexico State Police. For information on his duty status or administrative actions taken, please contact the Deming Police Department.
New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for review.
The New Mexico State Police acts solely as a factfinder in officer involved shootings and does not determine whether an officer’s actions were justified. That decision rests with the district attorney’s office. This incident remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.