Gunner Johnson/Courtesy NMSP

NMSP NEWS

On March 10, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was called to investigate a shooting that occurred on Interstate 25 between Albuquerque and Santo Domingo. A victim reported to State Police that on March 9 that they were involved in a road rage incident in which their vehicle had been shot at on Interstate 25 in Sandoval County near mile marker 248.

Through investigation and witness statements New Mexico State Police Agents were able to get a description of the suspect and the vehicle license plate involved and trace it back to Gunner Johnson, 44, of Capitan. Agents located Johnson who admitted to being in the Sandoval County area numerous times over the last few months including being in a road rage incident during the time of the March 9 shooting.

During the investigation State Police Agents also learned that since January 2020, the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bernalillo Police Department have all taken similar reports of vehicles possibly being shot at on Interstate 25 between the areas of mile post 242 and La Bajada Hill.

Immediately upon hearing of the shootings, New Mexico State Police Chief Tim Johnson mobilized a multi-agency taskforce, consisting of the New Mexico State Police, Bernalillo Police Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office to patrol Interstate 25 to ensure the safety of the citizens traveling on Interstate 25.

On March 11 New Mexico State Police Agents arrested Gunner Johnson and charged him with Aggravated Assault, Negligent Use of a Deadly Weapon, and Shooting at or From a Motor Vehicle.  Agents searched Johnson’s home and recovered a firearm and ammunition which has been sent to the state crime lab for comparison with other reported cases.