DEMING – On August 8, 2024, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau responded to a request for assistance at the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and U.S. Highway 445 in Colfax County, following an officer-involved shooting involving the Colfax County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began when authorities were alerted at 12:17 p.m. by a 911 call reporting that a male suspect, later identified as Tyrel Richter Cutchie, 42, of Maxwell, NM, was driving a maroon Dodge pickup truck with a camper shell along State Road 505. Cutchie reportedly forced a Springer Electric Company vehicle off the road and subsequently brandished a firearm at the vehicle’s occupants.
New Mexico State Police officers and Colfax County Sheriff’s Office deputies quickly responded to the area and located the Dodge truck on State Road 505. A traffic stop was initiated, but Cutchie briefly complied before reversing into a State Police patrol vehicle and fleeing, triggering a short pursuit.
The pursuit ended when officers successfully employed a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) near the intersection of U.S. 64 and U.S. 445. Cutchie attempted to escape again but collided head-on with a State Police vehicle, disabling both vehicles.
At this point, two Colfax County deputies discharged their firearms at Cutchie, who was struck by the gunfire. Despite immediate life-saving efforts and the arrival of EMS personnel, Cutchie succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
Two New Mexico State Police officers and one Colfax County deputy sustained minor injuries during the incident. The Colfax County Sheriff’s Office will handle inquiries regarding the deputies involved and their duty status.
The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau is conducting an independent investigation to determine the sequence of events that led to the shooting. This includes gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. The findings will be reviewed by the district attorney’s office to determine the appropriate course of action.
The New Mexico State Police emphasizes that its role is to investigate the facts of the case, while the determination of whether the officers’ actions were justified rests with the district attorney. The investigation is ongoing.