Former Official, 2 Others Die in N.M. Shootout

A former state legislator, his son and a sheriff’s lieutenant were killed Friday in a shootout that erupted when authorities tried to take the son in for a mental evaluation.

Lt. Bill Sibrava and former Republican state Sen. Joe Mercer died at University Hospital shortly after the shootings, said Sheriff Ray Gallagher. Mercer’s 30-year-old son, Stephen, died during the gunfight at his home, said sheriff’s spokesman Ernie Watson.

The elder Mercer, a candidate for governor in 1986, was apparently killed in the cross-fire.

“We aren’t sure who shot him. We believe it was his son. We’re not sure at this time,” Watson said.

Five deputies were attempting to serve papers taking Mercer’s son in for a mental evaluation when the younger Mercer pulled a gun and began firing, hitting Sibrava.

“They went in the house and talked to him for just a little bit. He did not want to go,” Watson said.

Two of the four deputies returned fire, Watson said, killing Stephen Mercer.

Watson said the elder Mercer had accompanied the deputies, who sought to have his son evaluated at a veterans hospital.

The younger Mercer had been involved in a seven-hour standoff with Albuquerque police last week and had held off police for 45 minutes on Thursday, Watson said.