Domestic Incident Turns Into Shooting Incident and Suspect Fatality – NMSP Investigates Multi-Agency Officer-Involved Shooting

Amanda Roberts- NMSP

Marty Mayfield

KRTN Multi-Media

Raton, NM — On August 1, 2026, the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate a multi-agency officer-involved shooting (OIS) involving the Raton Police Department (RPD) and NMSP as a result of a domestic incident that turned violent.

Raton PD officers responded to the 400 block of East 3rd Street following a report of a domestic violence incident early Sunday evening.

As officers were interviewing a woman involved in the domestic incident, an individual, later identified as 68-year-old Paul Andrew Terry, exited the residence and immediately fired multiple rounds at responding officers before retreating back inside the residence.

Raton PD officers then requested assistance from NMSP and Colfax County SO. At approximately 6:50 p.m., NMSP officers arrived on scene and, alongside RPD officers and Colfax County SO established a perimeter around the residence. An NMSP officer made telephone contact with Terry in an attempt to de-escalate the situation and negotiate a peaceful resolution. During the conversation, Terry became increasingly confrontational and eventually ceased all communication despite repeated attempts by officers to reestablish contact.

Throughout the incident, Terry continued firing multiple rounds at law enforcement officers from inside and outside of the residence. During the ongoing exchange, officers obtained a visual of Terry and discharged their department-issued firearms, striking him at least once.

Raton Fire and Emergency Services personnel were on stand by near the scene during the incident and were called in to immediately render medical aid at the scene. Terry was transported to MCMC by Raton Fire and Emergency Services around 8:40 p.m. where he was treated for his injuries, but despite life-saving efforts, Terry succumbed to his injuries at MCMC hospital.

State Police report that no law enforcement officers or members of the public were injured during the incident, however several law enforcement vehicles were struck by gunfire during the incident.

According to NMSP the identity of officers involved in the shooting incident will not be released until after the investigation is complete and that Raton PD will be responsible for issuing a statement on the status of their officers involved in the incident. NMSP Public Information Officer  Amanda Richards indicates that the NMSP act solely as fact-finders in their investigation and the results of the unbiased and impartial investigation will be handed over to the District Attorney for review and determination if officers actions were justified.