Dennis Armenta Obituary, Death – A man who was fatally shot after opening fire on a Bloomfield Police officer during a routine traffic stop has been identified by local authorities. The Bloomfield Police Department confirmed the deceased as 58-year-old Dennis Armenta. The incident occurred late on the night of May 26, around 10:55 p.m., during a traffic stop in the city of Bloomfield, New Mexico.
According to Bloomfield Police Chief Phillip Francisco, the encounter escalated when Armenta was pulled over for a traffic violation but refused to cooperate with Officer Timothy Ontiveros. Armenta allegedly declined to roll down his window or provide any form of identification. Officers on the scene spent more than eight minutes attempting to negotiate with Armenta, urging him to comply with standard procedure. Despite their efforts, Armenta reportedly remained uncooperative, remaining inside his vehicle with the windows rolled up.
Due to his refusal to identify himself, the officers decided to take him into custody on the charge of concealing his identity. Because Armenta would not voluntarily exit his vehicle, officers were forced to break a window to proceed with the arrest. As soon as the window was shattered, Armenta reportedly drew a handgun and fired at the officers, striking Officer Ontiveros and narrowly missing the second officer on the scene.
Following the gunfire, the second officer returned fire, fatally wounding Armenta. He was declared dead at the scene. Officer Ontiveros sustained critical injuries from the shooting and was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque for emergency medical treatment. He remains in critical condition as of the latest reports.
Authorities have revealed that Dennis Armenta had an extensive criminal background. His criminal history stretches back to 2013 when he was first arrested for driving under the influence. Since then, he had been involved in a number of incidents, including charges for criminal trespassing and resisting arrest in both 2021 and 2024. More recently, in 2023, Armenta was convicted of aggravated assault involving an axe at Presbyterian Medical Services in Farmington. Additionally, in 2025, he allegedly threatened medical staff at San Juan Regional Medical Center.
The shooting has prompted a full investigation, which is being led by the San Juan County Officer Involved Shooting Task Force. The task force is under the direction of the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and is responsible for conducting a thorough and independent inquiry into the incident.
Chief Francisco emphasized that officers followed protocol throughout the encounter and only resorted to force after all other options had been exhausted. The shooting occurred during what was supposed to be a routine traffic stop, underlining how rapidly such situations can escalate under unpredictable circumstances.
The department has not released the name of the second officer involved in the incident, nor has it specified the exact nature of the original traffic violation that led to the stop. Officials stated that the investigation is ongoing, and further details will be shared as they become available.
Community members in Bloomfield and surrounding areas have expressed concern over the incident, which adds to the growing number of violent encounters involving law enforcement officers across the country. Many have voiced their support for Officer Ontiveros and his recovery, while others have expressed frustration over the recurrence of violent altercations stemming from routine police activity.
Officer Ontiveros, a member of the Bloomfield Police Department, is described by colleagues as a dedicated and experienced officer. The department has requested thoughts and prayers for his recovery as he continues to receive treatment for his injuries.
This shooting incident also raises renewed questions about how law enforcement agencies handle individuals with known histories of mental health issues or previous confrontations with authorities. Armenta’s past encounters with the law, especially his recent behavior in medical settings, highlight the complexities officers face when dealing with individuals who may be unstable or potentially violent.
As the San Juan County task force proceeds with its investigation, authorities aim to piece together the sequence of events that led to the deadly outcome. The findings will be critical not only for transparency but also to determine whether all policies and procedures were appropriately followed during the arrest attempt.
The Bloomfield Police Department has pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation and to provide updates to the public as more information becomes available. In the meantime, they have asked for patience and respect for the families involved, particularly Officer Ontiveros and his loved ones.
As the situation develops, law enforcement officials hope the investigation will shed light on any preventive measures that could help avoid similar tragedies in the future. They also stress the importance of compliance during police interactions, noting that de-escalation efforts can only succeed if individuals are willing to cooperate.