Dennis Armenta dies in fatal Bloomfield police shooting

Dennis Armenta dies in fatal Bloomfield police shooting

Fatal Bloomfield police shooting death of Dennis Armenta – Obituary

Dennis Armenta, 58, was killed during a police encounter in Bloomfield, New Mexico, after a traffic stop escalated into a deadly confrontation. The Bloomfield Police Department said Armenta refused to lower his window or show identification during the stop, which led officers to attempt to arrest him. When officers broke the window of his vehicle, Armenta produced a firearm and shot Officer Timothy Ontiveros.

In response, another officer fired at Armenta, killing him at the scene. Officer Ontiveros was critically wounded and is currently receiving treatment at the University of New Mexico Hospital. The other officer involved was unharmed. The incident is under active investigation.

Armenta had a criminal record dating back to 2012, including charges such as aggravated assault, trespassing, resisting arrest, and threatening hospital personnel. Officer Ontiveros, who has been with the Bloomfield Police Department since December 2024 and previously served with the Farmington Police Department, remains in critical condition as the department continues its inquiry into the shooting.