A stark and horrifying example of two things:
- The danger posed by knives, even when we are armed with a gun – you CAN bring a knife to a gun fight and win if you’re close enough.
- Not all situations involving mental health issues can be de-escalated verbally. Police have often been criticised in the media for shooting within seconds of arriving at the scene – this incident demonstrates the kind of situation which can lead to that happening.
Patrol Officer Jonah Hernandez was stabbed to death while responding to a trespassing call at the 300 block of South Valley Drive in Las Cruces.
A witness to the stabbing shot the suspect while another witness called 911 for help.
Officer Hernandez was transported to MountainView Regional Medical Center where he died from a knife wound to his neck.
The subject had a lengthy criminal record and mental illness.
Officer Hernandez had served with the Las Cruces Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife and two sons.