On Thursday, June 17, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was called to investigate an officer-involved shooting in Veguita involving the Socorro County Sheriff’s Office.  All deputies were uninjured and there were reports of a vehicle on fire.

Investigators learned that on June 17, 2021, at around 9 p.m. the Socorro County Sheriff’s Office was called to 78 Pedro Place in Veguita.  A neighbor called 911 reporting a white Dodge pickup occupied by several people parked in front of 78 Pedro Place shooting guns at the residence which was unoccupied.

When the deputies arrived on the scene, they were met with gunfire from at least one of the individuals.  Gunfire was exchanged between the deputies and the suspect.  During the exchange, the Dodge pickup was struck by gunfire and there was an explosion.  After the explosion one of the males fled the scene on foot into the desert.

Two males and two females remained on the scene and were detained by deputies. One female and one male sustained serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital.  Their current conditions are not known.  Joseph Remalia, 26, of Los Lunas was released from the hospital and booked into the Socorro County Detention Center and charged with felon in possession of a firearm.

The male who fled the scene was later located by deputies deceased in a nearby arroyo.  He was transported to the Office of the Medical Investigator in Albuquerque for positive identification and determination of the cause of death.

The deputies involved will not be identified until after their interviews have taken place. For information on their duty status please contact the Socorro County Sheriff’s Office.  No deputies were injured during this incident.  The identities of the individuals who were injured will not be released by State Police unless they are charged at a later date.

This is a complex crime scene that is being diligently investigated by New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau Agents and Crime Scene Team.  Many details are still under investigation. As the investigation progresses and more information is available it will be sent out via press release.

 

New Mexico State Police report