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New Mexico Officer Fired In Van Shooting To Appeal

New Mexico State Police

Gov. Susana Martinez says she supports a decision by New Mexico State Police to fire an officer who shot at a minivan full of children during a chaotic October traffic stop.

Martinez said Monday the actions of Officer Elias Montoya were unacceptable and he should not have used deadly force.

No one was hurt in the shooting.

Montoya was fired Friday following an internal investigation and a disciplinary hearing. His attorneys say he plans to appeal.

Video from a police cruiser's dashboard camera taken during the Oct. 28 traffic stop showed Montoya shooting at the minivan as the female motorist drove away from a traffic stop after an officer knocked out her van's window with a baton.

The motorist, 39-year-old Oriana Farrell, had been stopped by another officer for suspicion on speeding. Authorities said she fled twice, and at one point led police on a high-speed chase through part of Taos.