Suspect in Feb. 15 Las Cruces Incident Located, Killed in Mexico
Mark James Esquibel, the 40-year-old man suspected of running over a Las Cruces police officer in February at a Sonic Drive-In restaurant, was involved in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement personnel in Juarez, Mexico, on Thursday and succumb to his injuries Friday morning.
Investigators are not sure when Esquibel entered Mexico or how long he had been there prior to Thursday’s incident with police in that country. Reports from Mexico indicate one police officer in that country was killed and two others injured during Thursday’s exchange of gunfire with Esquibel.
Esquibel, last known to live on the 5100 block of Central Road in Las Cruces, is believed to be the driver who refused to cooperate with Las Cruces police officers Feb. 15 at the Sonic Drive-In at 2925 N. Main St.
Sometime before 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 15, Las Cruces police were dispatched to conduct a welfare check on an individual who was parked in a stall at the Sonic restaurant. Officers made contact with the driver, identified as Esquibel, and determined there was probable cause to take him into custody.
Preliminary information from the investigation indicates Esquibel was uncooperative with officers and refused to exit his vehicle. Officers utilized a Taser on Esquibel but that was ineffective. Shortly after the Taser was deployed, Esquibel put the vehicle into drive and accelerated from the stall striking a Las Cruces police officer.
Investigators believe at least one round was fired during the incident. Esquibel fled west on Main Street and his vehicle was located a short time later near the intersection of Winton Circle and Neleigh Drive. Police learned someone gave Esquibel a ride from there.
Police obtained a warrant for Esquibel’s arrest in February charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm; aggravated battery against a peace officer; and resisting, evading or eluding arrest. Esquibel had a separate warrant for violating terms of his probation.
The Las Cruces police officer who was run over by Esquibel on Feb. 15 continues to recovery from his injuries.
