Written by Officer Ray Wilson Updated 12/10/2021
This update identifies the NMSP officer involved, the suspects, and gives additional details leading up to the incident.
Santa Fe County, NM – On November 26, 2021, New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents were called to investigate an officer-involved shooting on U.S. 285 south of Clines Corners, NM.
NMSP agents learned that at around 2:30 p.m., an NMSP officer on patrol pulled into the Starbucks on Promenade Boulevard in Santa Fe, NM, and was told by employees the store had just been robbed by a male and female suspect armed with firearms who fled in a black Kia passenger car with no license plate. The officer provided the information to dispatch and other officers.
Shortly after the information was given over the radio, NMSP Officer Bryan Donis saw the suspect vehicle traveling north at a high rate of speed on Cerrillos near Jaguar. Officer Donis notified dispatch he had just seen the suspect vehicle but lost sight of it before he could turn around. Moments later, a Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office (SFCSO) deputy located the suspect vehicle traveling south on Richards Ave. SFCSO initiated a pursuit on the suspect vehicle that proceeded north on Interstate 25, then southbound on U.S. 285.
NMSP officers and Torrance County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputies joined the pursuit to assist near Clines Corners. During the pursuit, the passenger in the suspect vehicle fired multiple shots at pursuing deputies and officers. Officer Donis attempted a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuver but was unable to safely do so because the suspects were shooting at the officer through the back window of their vehicle.
During the pursuit, a TCSO deputy, a SFCSO deputy, and NMSP Officer Donis discharged their duty-issued firearms striking the vehicle. The vehicle left the roadway on U.S. 285 near milepost 251 and crashed near a tree. The officers began giving the suspects commands to get out of the vehicle. The suspects did not get out of the vehicle after numerous commands.
The New Mexico State Police Tactical Team and Negotiators responded to the scene. The driver, later identified as Jacob Montoya, 26, of Bernalillo, NM, eventually crawled out through the driver’s side of the vehicle and was taken into custody. He was airlifted to an area trauma center for gunshot wounds.
The female passenger, later identified as Christy Dimas, 29, of Albuquerque, NM was found deceased in the vehicle. Dimas was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
Montoya was released from the hospital on December 6, 2021, and booked into the Torrance County Detention Facility on charges of:
- Assault with Intent to Commit a Violent Felony on a Peace Officer 2ND Degree Felony (5 counts)
- Receipt, Transportation or Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device by Certain Persons 3rd Degree Felony (2 Counts)
- Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer 4th Degree Felony
- Receiving or Transferring Stolen Motor Vehicles (1st Offense) 4th Degree Felony
- Receiving Stolen Property (Retain) (Firearm) 4th Degree Felony
- Shooting At or From a Motor Vehicle (No Great Bodily Harm) 4th Degree Felony (5 Counts)
Montoya is facing additional charges for the robbery that occurred at the Starbucks located at 4960 Promenade Boulevard which is being investigated by the NMSP Investigations Bureau.
No officers were physically injured during this incident. NMSP Officer Donis, who has been employed with NMSP for 4 years, was placed on standard administrative leave. For information on the names and duty status of the deputies involved please reach out to their respective agencies.
The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents work to independently determine the series of events that led up to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for their review and consideration.
The New Mexico State Police acts solely as factfinders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney’s office. This incident remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau.
