New Mexico’s Drunk Deputy Kills Partner in a Heated Argument
As if the job of being a police officer is not dangerous enough, now they have to worry about their partners harming them. It was reported that shots had been fired around midnight or early into the morning of October 28th, in Hotel Encanto in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Apparently, this is the hotel the two officers decided to stay at after they transported a prisoner to Safford, Arizona.
The two officers, Tai Chan, 27, and Jeremy Martin, 29, were seen at three restaurants Monday night. One of the resturants was Dublin’s Street Pub. This is where they got into a heated argument, that escalated when they went back at the hotel. Currently, we do not know what the argument was about.
Chan was on the phone with his girlfriend when the shooting took place. She heard someone say, “Please don’t, please don’t,” and then gunshots were fired.
We only know that Deputy Jeremy Martin tried to escape the fight and was running towards the elevators when Deputy Tai Chan shot him in the back and arms. When police arrived at the hotel, they found Deputy Martin staggering off the elevator and suffering from gunshot wounds. Deputy Martin was rushed to a Las Cruces Hospital. He was pronounced dead upon arrival. Arresting officers found Chan’s Glock semi-automatic handgun, which is the handgun he used while on duty, near the scene of the crime. The officers found Chan in a stairwell heading towards the hotel roof exit. Police said he was slurring his words, but Chan did say, “I shot the guy.†Which is interesting, because in court on Wednesday, he pleaded not guilty.
Deputy Tai Chan, was taken into custody and is being held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center. Chan had been on the force for 3 years. Deputy Martin was on the force for 2 and a half year. Deputy Jeremy Martin is survived by his wife and 3 kids.
One can only wonder what they were arguing about that could have resulted in such a tragic end? Will Deputy Chan even remember what the fight was about after being that drunk? Will he use being intoxication as a coverup for a plan that was more sinister? There are so many questions that need to be answered. The investigation has just begun.