Albuquerque, NM – On May 16, 2019, a New Mexico State Police officer assigned to the Metro Operation that brought fifty State Police officers from around the state to Albuquerque was involved in an officer involved shooting in southwest Albuquerque near Sunset Gardens Rd SW and Corregidor Dr SW.

At around 7:00 p.m. State Police Officer Nathaniel Renteria was patrolling in southwest Albuquerque when he observed a silver SUV fail to stop at a stop sign near Churchill Rd SW and Old Coors Dr SW. The officer attempted a traffic stop but the driver, later identified as Jesus Arenivar (36) of Albuquerque, failed to stop. Arenivar fled from Officer Renteria but the officer was able to read the license plate on the vehicle.  An inquiry through NMSP dispatch revealed the vehicle was stolen. As the pursuit continued Arenivar drove into a cul-de-sac near Sunset Gardens Rd SW and Corregidor Dr SW. Officer Renteria stopped his patrol vehicle in the road, got out and started giving Arenivar verbal commands to stop. Arenivar then turned the vehicle around and drove at Officer Renteria. As Arenivar drove the vehicle at Officer Renteria, the officer feared he was going to be run over. Officer Renteria discharged his department issued weapon at the vehicle. 

The suspect vehicle accelerated past Officer Renteria, striking the door of the patrol unit which hit the officer in the face.  Arenivar also hit another parked vehicle, then fled the area. The officer located the suspect vehicle nearby a short time later parked against a curb with a flat tire. The occupants had fled, and the vehicle was abandoned. Through investigation and witness interviews, investigators learned that Arenivar and a female ran from the vehicle. After an intensive canvassing of the surrounding neighborhoods officers were able to successfully detain both Arenivar and the female passenger. 

The female passenger, who is not facing charges and will not be identified, was interviewed and released.  Arenivar, who sustained a gunshot wound to his right shoulder during the incident, was treated, released and then booked in the Metro Detention Center on charges of Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Aggravated Fleeing of a Police Officer and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (First Offense). Arenivar has a criminal history of DWI in 2001 and had an active traffic warrant out of Bernalillo County at the time of his arrest.  

Officer Renteria was placed on standard administrative leave. Officer Renteria has been with the New Mexico State Police for five months.  He is currently stationed in Gallup but was temporarily working in Albuquerque as part of the Metro Operation. No further information is available.