Man Injured Friday in Officer-Involved Shooting in Aztec

 The suspect, 43-year-old Abel Soto, was immediately transported and treated at UNM Hospital.  No officers or uninvolved citizens were injured.  Per San Juan County Sheriff’s Office policy, the deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.  Conclusions about whether the actions of the deputies are consistent with department policy and the law will not be made until all the facts are known and the investigation is complete.    

From the San Juan County Sheriffs Office

Saturday, September 23, 2023

The San Juan County Regional Officer Involved Shooting Task Force is investigating an officer involved shooting involving the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.

 On September 22, 2023, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office detectives and deputies arrived at a residence in the area of 1234 NE Aztec Blvd in Aztec, NM to conduct a search warrant for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  At approximately 2pm, they attempted to call the suspect out of the residence.  After an hour of call outs, the suspect exited the residence at approximately 3pm brandishing a knife.  Deputies shot the suspect with multiple rounds of less than lethal bean bags but he refused to drop the weapon, at which time two deputies fired at least one round from their firearms, striking the suspect.

 The suspect, 43-year-old Abel Soto, was immediately transported and treated at UNM Hospital.  He has been released from the hospital and booked into Albuquerque Metro jail on two felony warrants.  He had a felony warrant out of Colorado and for this incident he was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer.

 No officers or uninvolved citizens were injured.  Per San Juan County Sheriff’s Office policy, the deputies involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.  Conclusions about whether the actions of the deputies are consistent with department policy and the law will not be made until all the facts are known and the investigation is complete.    

 The incident remains under investigation, and further information will be provided as it becomes available. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Farmington Police Department, the primary investigating agency, at 505-599-1068.