Cibola County, NM – A Scottsdale man is in custody after shooting a New Mexico State Police officer. The female officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
According to New Mexico State Police, on September 12, 2020, at about 9:30 a.m. an officer on patrol on Interstate 40 at milepost 130 near Laguna initiated a traffic stop on a GMC pickup occupied by Robert Benjamin Nelson, age 28.
Nelson appeared to fire multiple rounds at the officer’s head as the officer made her initial approach to the vehicle.
The officer was able to recover after being struck and returned fire at the suspect. Nelson was able to flee the scene and continue eastbound on I-40. Despite having multiple injuries, the officer returned to her vehicle, gave chase and a pursuit ensued. After a short pursuit, Nelson stopped on Interstate 40 near milepost 135 and exited his vehicle. Laguna officers arrived to assist the state police officer, and Nelson was taken into custody a short time later without further incident.
The officer was transported to an area hospital where she was treated and released. Nelson was booked into the Cibola County Detention Center and charged with the following crimes:
• Attempt to Commit Murder (30-28-1 Second Degree Felony)
• Aggravated Battery Upon Peace Officer (30-22-25 Third Degree Felony)
• Shooting from a Motor Vehicle (30-3-8 Second Degree Felony)
• Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer (30-22-1 Misdemeanor)
The state police officer involved is also commissioned as a Federal Task Force Officer so the FBI is involved in the investigation and Nelson could face federal charges.