LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - Police say an officer fatally shot a 33-year-old man in Las Cruces who had led authorities on a 68-mile chase and then refused to get out of his vehicle.
New Mexico State Police say William Smith of El Paso, Texas, was pronounced dead Friday at the scene.
Authorities say Smith refused to pull over when he was spotted speeding on Interstate 10 near Deming and continued until he reached Las Cruces, where the pursuit ended once Smith exited the interstate.
Two passengers exited the vehicle, but Smith, who had pistols in the vehicle, remained inside as police spent hours trying to negotiate with him. Eventually, Smith stopped talking to police.
At some point, a State Police officer who believed there was a deadly threat shot Smith.
No officers were injured.
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