Body camera video shows deadly police shooting in Santa Fe, K9 attack on officer
Jan 14, 2025
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Newly released body camera video shows what led up to a deadly officer-involved shooting in Santa Fe and how one of the police K-9s attacked an officer.
The incident took place on March 10 when officers were attempting to apprehend 35-year-old Rick Robert Chavez, who had several active arrest warrants.
Police said Chavez was at his father’s home in the 2800 block of Don Quixote and they saw him leave in a vehicle. Chavez was later located at Rodeo Park Drive West, and officers attempted to apprehend him. However, police say Chavez fled in his vehicle.
During a chase, officers attempted to stop Chavez using a pursuit intervention technique, which was unsuccessful. Police say Chavez also collided with a marked Santa Fe Police Unit, disabling the officer’s vehicle. Officers then deployed stop stick devices, which Chavez drove over, causing his tires to deflate.
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The pursuit led officers to a nearby neighborhood on Vereda de Encanto. That is where officials said Chavez got out of his vehicle armed with a handgun and entered another vehicle driven by 42-year-old George Anthony Theragood Jr. Police believe Theragood was a co-conspirator.
At least one officer fired their gun, hitting Chavez and Theragood. During the confrontation, an officer released a police K-9, which ended up biting Officer Charles Ovalle.
At some point during the altercation, Santa Fe Police said Officer Ovalle was also shot. Body camera video showed an officer helping pull Ovalle out of danger.
Meanwhile, Chavez was shot several times and got back into the car. Theragood was hit in the arm and put his arms up to surrender.
The suspects and the officer were taken to a nearby hospital for their injuries. Chavez later died from injuries. Theragood was treated and released by the hospital to the custody of the Santa Fe Police Department. He is currently under the supervision of pretrial services and pleaded not guilty to several crimes including aiding a felon and resisting arrest.
Officer Ovalle was released from the hospital and eventually returned to duty.
As for the K-9 involved in the incident, Ayke attacked an officer in January 2023. Former officer Damian Vigil filed a lawsuit against the department, saying the dog bit his face during a demo.