Quay County Sun

07/19/2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2024
-News Release-

New Mexico State Police Assist Tucumcari Police Department in Shooting Incident

Tucumcari, NM – In the early morning hours of July 18, 2024, the Tucumcari Police Department requested assistance from the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) in response to a shooting incident outside a residence in the 1000 block of South Jackson Street.

The suspect, 27-year-old Frankie Martinez, was reported to have brandished a firearm and discharged it at a grey SUV traveling north on Jackson Street. The vehicle, occupied by two adults and three juveniles, managed to leave the scene, with one passenger sustaining superficial wounds from broken glass.

Martinez then barricaded himself inside his residence with his girlfriend and two children. NMSP took over the investigation, quickly forming a perimeter around the residence. After securing a search warrant and an arrest warrant for Martinez, the NMSP Tactical Team was activated to assist.

NMSP officers made contact with Martinez's girlfriend, who exited the residence safely with the two children. Martinez then complied with officers' commands to exit the residence and was taken into custody without further incident.

During the ex*****on of the search warrant, officers recovered two fi****ms, including a handgun with a 30-round extended magazine, a shotgun, and a large amount of ammunition. Sixteen spent 9mm casings were found from the front porch to the street. Additionally, approximately 5 grams of methamphetamine were seized.

Martinez has been booked into the Quay County Detention Center and faces multiple charges, including:
• 5 Counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
• 1 Count of Shooting at or from a Moving Vehicle
• 1 Count of Possession of Methamphetamine

Further charges are pending.

-End Release-

07/17/2024

Mesalands chose current interim president Allen Moss from six presidential candidates and approved a three-year contract for him. We will have more details in the July 24 edition of the Sun.

07/12/2024

Dacian Montoya, a senior at Logan High School, will compete in bull riding later this month at the 76th annual National High School Finals Rodeo after finishing second in that event in the state championships.

Dacian Montoya, a senior at Logan High School, will compete in bull riding later this month at the 76th annual National High School Finals Rodeo after finishing second in that event in the state championships. The NHSFR on July 14-20 in Rock Springs, Wyoming, features more than 1,700 contestants fro...

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The Tucumcari Farmers Market has a new manager as it opens for the season at 10 a.m. Saturday in Wailes Park. Market manager Jonna Stanger said she has 15 to 17 vendors lined up, though they won’t be present all at once due to varying growing conditions. Stanger said among the offerings Saturday w...

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Jonathan Brito said he and chamber members are soliciting ideas to make the parade better, including it being a night event that would conclude in front of the Elks Lodge where the annual fireworks display is held.

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Current village manager Rodney Paris said: "He was a wealth of knowledge, and a lot of the knowledge he had is irreplaceable."

Larry Wallin, a manager for the Village of Logan for more than two decades, died Saturday from complications of cancer. He was 67. His obituary stated he died surrounded by his family. His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Logan High School gymnasium, with lunch to follow in the school...

07/04/2024

Silver Alert- Quay County Sheriff's Office

07/03/2024

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The man charged with killing New Mexico State Police Patrolman Justin Hare in March threatened healthcare workers while he was being treated for injuries after his capture.

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06/05/2024

Paws & Claws Animal Rescue of Quay County will receive $6,000 upfront from the county government, plus $10,000 annually after the shelter's president pleaded for such aid.

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06/05/2024

Jefferson Byrd defeated James Kleinsasser by 128 votes for the GOP nomination for Quay County assessor in the only locally contested race in today's primary election. More details will be in next week's edition.

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05/16/2024

An update about the officer-involved shooting Tuesday south of Tucumcari.

Officer Involved Shooting in Quay County

Quay County, NM – On May 14, 2024, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting (OIS) involving the Quay County Sheriff’s Office.

Agents with the Investigations Bureau learned that on May 14, 2024, at around 10:30 a.m., the Quay County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 4329 Quay Road 49, Quay County, NM, due to multiple 911 calls of Aubrey James Osteen, 77, of Tucumcari brandishing a firearm at his home healthcare provider and emergency medical personnel.

The Quay County Sheriff's Office was called to the scene. While the deputies were speaking to Mr. Osteen, he presented a firearm and shot one of the deputies. At this point in the encounter, at least one deputy discharged their firearm at least once, striking Mr. Osteen. He suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Office of Medical Investigators.

The Quay County deputy was transported to a local hospital, where he was later released with non-life-threatening injuries. For information on the deputies, their duty status, or any administrative actions taken please contact the Quay County Sheriff's Office.

New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading 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 an officer's actions were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney’s office. The New Mexico State Police are still investigating this incident.

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The shooting occurred shortly before noon today. A state policeman at the scene said the officer wasn't hurt.

One person was dead after an officer-involved shooting Tuesday south of Tucumcari. The shooting occurred shortly before noon on Quay Road 49, about a dozen miles south of Tucumcari. New Mexico State Police Lt. Jerry Hernandez said at the scene that a law-enforcement officer exchanged gunfire with a....

05/10/2024

Tucumcari senior Haisley Huffman has just won her third straight state championship in the long jump.

05/09/2024

A Roswell district court judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the New Mexico Public Education Department from enforcing its 180-day school rule. More here: https://www.qcsunonline.com/story/2024/05/08/news/restraining-order-imposed-on-ped-rule/25878.html

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New Mexico State Police captured a Tucumcari teen wanted on a count of attempted murder after being accused of pointing a gun at another man. More here: https://www.qcsunonline.com/story/2024/05/08/news/local-teen-nabbed-on-attempted-murder-charge/25897.html

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04/30/2024

Mesalands announced this afternoon the Saturday night dance now will be free.

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04/27/2024

Who likes coupons? Check out Wednesday's Quay County Sun.

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04/26/2024

The prospect of a possible five-day work week this fall at Tucumcari Public Schools already is leading to the departure of several educators.

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04/25/2024

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