This update identifies the officer and the suspect involved and gives additional details leading up to the shooting.

Deming, NM - On July 14, 2020, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested by the Deming Police Department to investigate an officer involved shooting.

State Police agents learned that on July 14, 2020, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the Deming Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance on Maple Street in Deming, NM.

Julio Jaramillo (28) of Deming, NM left his residence on Maple Street and walked along South Grand Avenue where he encountered an individual outside talking on the phone. Jaramillo asked to borrow the man’s phone and displayed a pistol.

The man gave Jaramillo his phone and Jaramillo started walking towards Amigo’s Mexican Food Inc., on East Poplar Street. Deming Police Department Officers Lee Cook, Ashley Standridge, Britney Valdez, and Robert Chavez arrived on the scene and Jaramillo concealed himself between two freight trucks at Amigo’s Mexican Food Inc.  

During interviews conducted by NMSP investigators, the officers stated they had set up a perimeter and immediately gave commands to Jaramillo to drop the weapon. Jaramillo was hiding behind a warehouse building located at 1202 East Poplar. Jaramillo was located on the south east corner of the building. The officers gave multiple commands to Jaramillo requesting he put the handgun down. Officers stated Jaramillo came out from behind the building, walked toward the officers, lifted his gun and started shooting. Two officers stated they felt bullets go right by them. The officers returned fire, striking Jaramillo. NMSP Crime Scene Team located a Taurus 9mm pistol on scene and bullet strikes fired by Jaramillo at a nearby business. 

Jaramillo was treated by officers on the scene until emergency medical personnel arrived. Jaramillo was transported to Mimbres Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The officers and other victims were uninjured. Many details of this incident are still under investigation.

The officers have been employed with the Deming Police Department for the following: Officer Cook (eight years), Officer Standridge (eight and a half years), Officer Valdez (eight years), and Officer Chavez (fifteen years). For inquiries into the officers’ duty status please contact the Deming Police Department. This investigation remains active and is being led by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau. Upon completion of the investigation, this case will be given to the district attorney’s office for review.