New Mexico authorities, 'courageous' ranchers apprehend Midland homicide suspect

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Kionne Lewis, 29, of Midland, was being held at gunpoint by three ranchers while they awaited authorities. | Unsplash

A case that covered two states came to an end when New Mexico State Police arrested a homicide suspect on the lam from Texas. 

According to a release from the New Mexico Department of Public Safety, New Mexico State Police (NMSP) arrested Kionne Lewis, 29, of Midland, who authorities were seeking in connection to a homicide, near Roswell, N.M., where he was being held at gunpoint by three ranchers. 

"The New Mexico State Police would like to thank the courageous ranchers who located Lewis and aided in his safe capture, as well as the Chaves County Sherriff’s Office, the Roswell Police Department SWAT Team, New Mexico Game and Fish, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms," the New Mexico Department of Public Safety said in the release. 


Kionne Lewis | New Mexico Department of Public Safety

According to the release, Texas Rangers contacted the NMSP last week about Lewis, who they suspected was in the Roswell area and armed with a rifle.

Lewis, who according to KRQE was a former U.S. Airman, was spotted on Sept. 27 driving north of Roswell, rammed a police cruiser when it tried to pull him over. He later left the vehicle and fled on foot. 

The release noted that NMSP and Chaves County sheriff’s deputies were then alerted that Lewis was being held by ranchers who had convinced him to put down his weapon and wait for authorities, who arrived and took him into custody. Charged in New Mexico with battery of a police officer and resisting and evading arrest, Lewis will be extradited to Texas to face charges there, according to the release.