Man shot by police is former Santa Fe cop

SANTA FE (KRQE) - KRQE News 13 has learned more about Monday's officer-involved shooting in Santa Fe.

The man who was shot is a man in his 70s, and neighbors said he's no criminal. In fact, he's a war veteran and former Santa Fe police officer.

Police haven't said much about the shooting. According to neighbors, the man who was shot is also a trusted caretaker.

Johnson Lane was much quieter Tuesday, but early Monday morning it was rattled by gunfire.

"There had to have been multiple gun shots, I mean probably somewhere between, best guess probably between four and seven shots," said Joe Nero, who lives nearby.

At this point, Santa Fe police said they responded to an alarm call and that an officer was involved in a shooting. Neighbors said the man who was shot was Bobby Dominguez, 77, a lifetime resident there and former cop many people relied on to watch over their homes while they were gone.

"No, Bobby wouldn't have been a burglar, no," said Nero. "He was somebody, I guess on that particular instance, somewhere in between a Good Samaritan and a caretaker, and somebody who felt responsible for that home."

Neighbors said they don't know if Dominguez was inside the home when he was shot, but they believe he may have been responding to an alarm and got there before police.

New Mexico State Police have taken over the investigation and won't confirm everything neighbors are saying. State Police did release a statement saying a man was transported to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center for injuries, and that the Santa Fe police officer involved has been placed on standard administrative leave.

Neighbors said Dominguez grew up on Johnson Lane and would always walk the block and chat with residents. One man told News 13 Dominguez was almost like the neighborhood hall monitor.

People that know Dominguez said he owns guns and that he could have possibly been armed when checking on the home.

Nero said nearly a dozen officers combed the area and appeared to be searching for a potential burglar. Neighbors said if there was a burglar, they don't believe it was Dominguez and added they hope their friend and watchdog will be alright.

"Certainly hope he's doing well, and I look forward to seeing him back here pretty soon," said Nero.

State Police later confirmed Tuesday, the man who was shot is Robert Dominguez. He is still recovering from his injuries at Christus St. Vincent.

State Police also identified the officer who fired his gun as Charles Laramie. Police said he has been with Santa Fe police for nine months. He's on administrative leave while Santa Fe olice conduct an administrative investigation.