NMSP News:
SANTA FE – On April 24, 2024, at about 3:14 p.m. the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau (IB) was informed of an Officer Involved Shooting involving the Santa Fe Police Department that occurred at the intersection of Cerrillos Road and Harrison in Santa Fe. NMSP IB agents responded and initiated an investigation into the incident.
According to the preliminary investigation, the sequence of events unfolded at Café Castro at 2811 Cerrillos Road. At approximately 2:31 p.m. the suspect, later identified as 37-year-old Jermaine Garcia, entered the establishment, and requested to use the restroom, which was denied. Subsequently, Garcia entered the kitchen area, armed himself with a large butcher-style knife and engaged in an altercation with the manager. Garcia then left the café while armed with the knife and attempted to carjack a vehicle in the parking lot, but was unsuccessful which prompted Garcia to head north toward another business on Cerillos Road.
Multiple 911 calls were made. Initially two officers with the Santa Fe Police Department (SFPD) responded to the scene at about 2:38 p.m. One of the SFPD officers attempted to engage Garcia, however Garcia aggressively approached the officer’s vehicle, striking the officer’s driver’s side window with the knife, causing the window to break. At one point several citizens were within feet of Garcia as he continued to display the knife in an aggressive fashion.
Both officers deployed their tasers at Garcia to gain compliance, but deployments were unsuccessful.
Despite repeated verbal commands to drop the knife, Garcia remained non-compliant and aggressively charged one of the SFPD officers. In response, that officer discharged his firearm twice, striking Garcia, leading to his subsequent arrest. SFPD officers provided medical assistance to Garcia, who was transported to an area hospital.
No officers were injured during the incident. For duty status, administrative action taken on the officers involved as well as information on Garcia’s charges, please contact SFPD.
The New Mexico State Police acts solely as factfinders in its investigations and conducts unbiased and impartial investigations.
In officer involved shootings, NMSP works to thoroughly document the scene, collect evidence, and interview officers, subjects, and witnesses. In turn, NMSP compiles a detailed set of facts and provides all reports to the appropriate District Attorney’s Office for their review.
The New Mexico State Police does not determine whether an officer’s actions were justified in these types of matters. This determination rests solely with the District Attorney’s Office.
