The Associated Press
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) -- A Farmington, N.M. man led authorities on a 100-mile car and foot chase before fatally shooting himself atop a cliff.
The chase began Tuesday morning when police attempted to serve an arrest warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Watonna Jay Racawan, 21.
Farmington police Lt. Doug Kennedy said detectives saw Racawan leave and the pursuit began as he fled east on U.S. 64.
Racawan turned onto a county road and then headed south on U.S. 550 toward Cuba.
Racawan eventually drove south in northbound lanes and drove at an oncoming sport-utility vehicle. The SUV driver pulled onto the shoulder of the road.
Racawan allegedly ordered the driver from the vehicle at gunpoint and took the SUV, authorities said.
The pursuit with authorities continued, San Juan County sheriff’s Detective Tyler Truby said.
State Police set up stop sticks near Cuba and flattened one tire, but Racawan continued on the rim, state police Lt. Dan Becker said. He drove through a fence and continued until his vehicle became stuck.
Racawan got out of the vehicle with the barrel of a handgun in his mouth, and led officers on a walking and running foot pursuit for several miles until he reached the edge of a cliff, authorities said.
At one point, Racawan allegedly fired at least one shot toward officers, and gunfire was allegedly returned.
Not long afterward, Racawan shot himself in the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Farmington detectives, deputies from San Juan and Sandoval counties, state police, Jicarilla Apache tribal officers and the FBI were on the scene of the shooting.
State police Lt. Robert San Roman said the situation was still being sorted out Tuesday night.
“We are conducting an investigation into the allegation of shots being fired, or gunshots being exchanged between the suspect and law enforcement officers,” San Roman said.
The original arrest warrant for Racawan alleges he was involved in an altercation with a man at the San Juan College gym and pulled a gun and threatened the man as they were leaving.