Deputies involved in shooting

Two Valencia County Sheriff’s deputies are on paid administrative leave following a foot chase and arrest of an armed suspect last week.

At about 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Valencia County Regional Emergency Communications Center received a third-party call stating Vicente Baca, 33, was “raging” and his mother was afraid of him, a press release from the NMSP read.

Officers with the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office and Belen Police Department were dispatched to 50 Maestas Road, in Jarales. Dispatchers informed the officers Baca had two active felony warrants and might be in a shed on the property.

When they arrived, officers found Baca getting into a silver vehicle and when a VCSO deputy tried to make contact, he got out of the vehicle and fled on foot.

Officers pursued and Baca was seen going onto the property at 5B Maestas — west of the original call location — with a handgun, the NMSP press release states. At least one shot was fired by an officer at that time.

Baca continued running from officers, going to 14 Maestas Road, where he was confronted by officers. At least one shot was fired by officers.

Since NMSP is investigating the incident, VCSO Lt. Joseph Rowland said he couldn’t clarify which officers fired shots at either of the two locations. He did confirm two deputies were placed on standard paid administrative leave following the incident.

When asked for clarification on which department the officers who fired shots belonged to, NMSP officer and public information officer Amanda Richards said those specifics are still under investigation.

Belen Police Chief Jose Natividad said his officers were called in to assist deputies on the call and none are on leave in relation to the shots fired during the pursuit of Baca.

“What I was told is the deputies called for backup and since (the location of the call) was just outside the city limits, we were able to assist,” Natividad said.

Baca wasn’t injured and was taken into custody by VCSO. The press release noted a firearm was found on the property near where Baca was arrested. Rowland said NMSP will be the agency to file charges against Baca.