Officers shoot carjacking suspect on I-40

Officers shoot I-40 carjacking suspect

An alleged armed carjacking led to a pursuit from a casino near I-40 to Grants where a shooting happened.

GRANTS, N.M. — A shootout on I-40 ended with law enforcement officers shooting a suspect accused of stealing a car at gunpoint from a casino, according to New Mexico State Police.

Around 10:33 p.m. Saturday, a Be On the Look Out was given to law enforcement agencies near the Sky City Casino where someone had their SUV stolen at gunpoint. According to NMSP, Cibola County Sheriff’s deputies and Grants Police Department officers found the vehicle traveling west on I-40, toward Grants.

NMSP allege the suspect used the vehicle to strike another vehicle before stopping at milepost 81. The driver exited the vehicle and allegedly fired a weapon at officers. Officers returned fire and shot the suspect at least once.

NMSP identified the suspect as 24-year-old Jaquari Hezakiyah Porter. They say officers immediately gave aid to Porter and called for paramedics, who then took Porter to an area hospital.

NMSP agents investigated and say Porter drove away from one of their officers who stopped him for speeding earlier that evening.

NMSP is still investigating.