Police: Kidnapping suspect killed self

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) - A man shot at police near the Cerrillos exit on Interstate 25 Tuesday night after allegedly abducting a pregnant woman and a small child from Pecos. After some gunfire, the man turned the gun on himself, according to reports.

Police were on the lookout for a black Ford F-350 going south on I-25 around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Police found the truck and attempted to stop it. They said, at first, the truck started to swerve, but then eventually did pull over. The driver was identified as Diego Gonzalez.

The officer returned fire using his issued AR-15 assault weapon. Investigators said they are not sure how many shots were fired between Gonzalez, 27, and the state police officer.

Gonzalez's wife, Ashley Varela-Gonzalez, 26, ran from the truck after the exchange and told the officer that the man had shot himself. The woman and the couple's two-year-old son were not injured in the shooting nor was the officer. Ashley is 8-months pregnant.

Lawrence Lujan, a family friend said Gonzalez was a sniper with the Marine Corps and was being treated for post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

“During this time we would like for everyone to remember him for the good man that he was, the good qualities and the good person that he was,” Lujan said. “Diego was a great father, great husband, a great friend he had a great heart.”

The officer involved, two-and-a-half year veteran Bryan Waller is on standard, paid leave for three days.

Authorities kept the Cerrillos Road exit closed from southbound I-25 while they completed their investigation.