ALBUQUERQUE – An Arizona man is facing a charge of attempted murder for allegedly shooting and wounding a New Mexico State Police officer last weekend west of Albuquerque, authorities said.
The female officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries to her hands, face and eyes and was treated and released from a hospital after Saturday’s incident.
FBI officials said 28-year-old Robert Benjamin Nelson of Scottsdale made his initial court appearance Thursday on charges of attempted murder of a federal officer and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to a criminal complaint, Nelson allegedly fired through the passenger-side window of his vehicle at a uniformed state police officer working a law enforcement stop as part of a federal task force.
After a short pursuit, Nelson was stopped on Interstate 40 near the pueblo of Laguna, 47 miles west of Albuquerque and taken into custody with help from Laguna police officers.
Federal prosecutors said if convicted, Nelson faces a prison term of 10 years to life for the charge of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and up to 20 years in prison for attempted murder of a federal officer.
It was unclear Thursday if Nelson has a lawyer yet.
