Authorities: deputy fatally shoots man in New Mexico courthouse

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- A sheriff's deputy shot and killed a man on the second floor of a county courthouse Wednesday, authorities said, and investigators were trying to determine what led to the

Wednesday, November 22nd 2006, 10:07 pm

By: News On 6

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- A sheriff's deputy shot and killed a man on the second floor of a county courthouse Wednesday, authorities said, and investigators were trying to determine what led to the shooting.

The incident occurred just before 4 p.m. at the Bernalillo County courthouse. Witnesses said the man, whose name was not released, was at the courthouse for a domestic violence case.

Early reports indicated that the man may have had a knife, but the sheriff said investigators had not determined if he was armed.

"We don't want to jump to any conclusions until we have an opportunity to interview the witnesses and the deputies," Sheriff Darren White said Wednesday evening.

The man who was shot had been taken away on a gurney, but he died on the way to a hospital, White said. No one else was injured.

A security guard reported hearing two to three shots fired, according to broadcast reports. People inside the courthouse were corralled into rooms until deputies secured the area. Some were released and others remained inside the building Wednesday night as investigators conducted interviews.