A police-involved shooting on the Santa Fe Plaza sent the downtown area into turmoil late Sunday morning, just hours before a planned parade marking the final day of the Fiesta de Santa Fe. The shooting occurred amidst heavy foot traffic and preparations for the Desfile de la Gente parade.
Authorities suppressed more information on the event, thus details remained few, although sources suggested that the cops were pursuing a driver who was speeding. The suspect crashed the car and ran away on foot, ending the chase and setting up the officer-involved shooting on the Plaza. The Santa Fe Police reported that no policemen were hurt during the suspect's apprehension.
The City of Santa Fe sent out a notice at around 11 a.m. alerting the public of roadway restrictions in the downtown area due to the incident. The Plaza, a well-liked spot for visitors and neighborhood sellers alike, was closed to foot traffic as police officers guarded the area. Vendors on the Plaza and around the Palace of the Governors were observed hastily packing up and departing the area.
While investigations were ongoing, Santa Fe Police Department Deputy Chief Ben Valdez requested the public to stay away from the downtown area. The investigation was turned over to the New Mexico State Police, who handle inquiries into shootings involving officers.
The cancelation of the Desfile de la Gente march, which was set to happen that afternoon, was one of the incident's most immediate impacts. Valdez subsequently verified that the parade would not go on, but at first municipal authorities worked with the Santa Fe Fiesta Council to decide whether it could go on.
The incident caused a great deal of anxiety in the downtown region. On social media, state senator Joe Cervantes revealed that, in reaction to the gunshots, the Mass attendees at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi had sought refuge behind the seats. Amidst spreading concerns that the incident may have been motivated by politics, several guests chose to stay indoors.
Residents and tourists in the downtown area were uneasy while law enforcement organizations, such as the Santa Fe Police Department and New Mexico State Police, began to investigate the circumstances behind the incident. Meanwhile, authorities urged the public to stay clear of the Plaza while investigations continued, and city officials worked to restore calm to the disrupted Fiesta celebrations.