Doña Ana County sheriff: man shot after refusing to leave burning home; subject identified

Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart said that deputies responding to a structure fire at about 8 p.m. on Feb. 17 shot a resident who emerged from the home armed and was later pronounced dead.

"I am Kim Stewart. I am the sheriff of Doña Ana County," Stewart said during a news briefing. She told reporters that deputies, Doña Ana County Fire and a Mesilla Marshal unit responded to a single-family home at 680 Watson Lane after a fire that was later determined to have been started in multiple locations.

Stewart said firefighters repeatedly asked a male occupant to leave the burning house and that he refused several times. At approximately 8:34 p.m., the man "emerged suddenly" from an entrance holding what officers later determined was a knife in his right hand, and "moved at the deputies," she said. Stewart said officers on scene, including a deputy and a Mesilla Marshal unit, fired; the subject was taken to the ground and deputies rendered aid while fire personnel assisted.

The man was pronounced deceased at the scene and was identified by Stewart as Dylan Leonard, a resident of 680 Watson Lane. One deputy sustained a very minor injury, was treated and released from the hospital that evening.

Stewart said the department immediately activated an officer-involved shooting task force and opened a parallel criminal investigation. The deputies involved were placed on administrative leave "per protocol," and the department will provide the full incident file to the district attorney, Stewart said. She declined to answer many specific questions at the briefing but said Marshall Ben Escarrate was present for questions related to his office.

No formal determination or charge was announced at the briefing; Stewart emphasized that investigations were ongoing.

The sheriff closed the briefing after a short period of limited questioning and thanked attendees.