SANTA FE, NM — A reckless driver has been arrested after a police-involved shooting in Santa Fe on Sunday that interrupted the Desfile de la Gente parade, authorities said.
Santa Fe police reported that the incident happened near the downtown Santa Fe Plaza around 10:30 a.m., hours before the popular parade that had been scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
The name and age of the suspect were not immediately available Sunday.
“We had a person who crashed into cars recklessly, confronted the police, led the police on a chase,” Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber told Santa Fe New Mexican. – Shots were fired from the police. He was arrested and is in custody. Unfortunately, he successfully ruined everyone else’s day.”
New Mexico State Police said in a statement that the shooting involved both Santa Fe police and the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office.
State police said the officers escaped injury but the suspect was injured.
Dan Shipp told The Associated Press that he was half a block from the square when he saw a white pickup make several hard turns before going through a barricade.
Shipp said he then heard “six or seven shots” fired but did not know if it was the officer or the suspect who fired.
Hundreds of people were in the square and set up tents along the parade route to sell trinkets, rugs and other items, according to Shipp.
“Everything is closed now,” he said, adding that all other scheduled events at the square were also canceled.
The purpose of the parade, according to the event’s website, “is to provide fun, relaxation and cultural enjoyment for the citizens and visitors of Santa Fe.” The site also refers to the parade as the Santa Fe Fiesta Historical/Hysterical Parade.