Mayor Susan Payne of Alamogordo stated that 26-year-old Dominic De La O who had been found guilty of shooting and killing Alamogordo Police Officer Anthony Ferguson on Saturday should have been detained for other alleged violent offences too.
Who is Dominic De La O?
Dominic De La O allegedly used a shotgun to shoot Ferguson in the face on Saturday after a traffic stop collision, and foot pursuit. Ferguson’s injuries were treated in a hospital in El Paso, but he passed away on Sunday.
Residents of Alamogordo, Jessica Smith and Rudy Contreras, charged De La O in the 2019 death of Donovan Contreras during the press conference. Although De La O was never charged in connection with the crime, the family of Contreras agreed that De La O ought to have been locked up.
The Alamogordo Daily News was unable to confirm the manner of Contreras’ death but has requested documents related to the incident.
De La O was shot by Alamogordo police officers in January 2023 after they responded to allegations of a man strolling around with a gun. However, a search of the case database for New Mexico revealed De La O had never been accused of any violent crime.
During a foot pursuit in Alamogordo on Saturday, Ferguson is said to have been shot in the leg with a sawed-off shotgun that was in the custody of De La O. From the scene of a car accident, according to officials, the officers chased De La O on foot.
After being brought to Gerald Champion Regional Medical Centre in El Paso, Texas, Ferguson was subsequently flown to UMC-El Paso.
De La O was arrested and lodged at the Otero County Detention Centre before being charged with a number of offences.
De La O was charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated violence with a dangerous weapon on a police officer.
The Alamogordo Daily News was unable to clarify if the charges had changed as a result of Ferguson’s passing.
He was also accused with resisting and eluding a police officer, tampering with evidence, and one count of aggravated escape from an office.
Charges of various traffic infractions and criminal trespass will also be brought against him.
