El Paso Officers Exchange Gunfire With Armed Suspect

 El Paso, Texas — A domestic disturbance in a quiet residential neighborhood turned violent on the evening of June 1, 2025, when El Paso Police Officers responded to a report of a family fight in progress on the 6400 block of Passo Via. What began as a routine call for service quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation, resulting in one officer wounded and the suspect fatally shot.

The 911 call, placed around early evening, reported a physical and verbal altercation taking place inside a home on the block. Officers dispatched to the scene were informed by witnesses or family members nearby that the disturbance was occurring in a residence further down the street. Upon arriving in the area, police began approaching the identified home on foot, following standard procedures to assess the situation and make contact.

As officers closed in on the property, 35-year-old Salvador Valdiviezo suddenly exited the residence. Witnesses and police confirmed that Valdiviezo was armed with a firearm, which he raised and pointed at the approaching officers without warning. The encounter turned violent in seconds, as both Valdiviezo and the officers exchanged gunfire in the middle of the residential street.

During the firefight, one of the responding officers was struck by a bullet in her right leg. Despite her injury, she and other officers continued to engage the threat until Valdiviezo was shot multiple times and incapacitated. The officer was quickly removed from the line of fire and transported to the University Medical Center of El Paso, where she was listed in stable condition. Officials have not yet released her name, but noted that her injuries, while serious, were not life-threatening.

Emergency medical personnel also responded to the scene and provided aid to Valdiviezo, who had sustained critical gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment but was later pronounced dead as a result of his injuries.

The El Paso Police Department confirmed that Valdiviezo had no prior criminal record that would have indicated a threat of this magnitude. However, they noted that domestic violence situations can often be unpredictable and volatile. Authorities also confirmed that the weapon used by Valdiviezo was recovered at the scene and would be submitted for forensic testing as part of the ongoing investigation.

In the days following the incident, an obituary for Valdiviezo provided insight into his background. He was a registered nurse at Three Crosses Regional Hospital in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and had previously served in the United States Navy. Friends and family described him as intelligent and hardworking, though the circumstances that led to his violent actions remain under investigation.

The officer-involved shooting is now being reviewed by the El Paso Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division, as well as by external oversight agencies, per department policy whenever lethal force is used. Officers involved in the incident have been placed on standard administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigations.

El Paso Police Chief and city officials have expressed gratitude for the officers' bravery in responding to a highly dangerous situation and praised their efforts in preventing further harm to others in the vicinity. “These calls are some of the most difficult and dangerous our officers respond to,” a police spokesperson stated. “We’re thankful our injured officer is recovering and are committed to a full and transparent review of this tragic event.”

As the investigation continues, the department has asked the public for patience and cooperation, especially from any witnesses in the area who may have seen or recorded any part of the incident. Additional updates are expected in the coming weeks as more details become available.