A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE FOR TWO HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN LAS CRUCES TUESDAY. POLICE SAY 56 YEAR OLD MATHEW RODGER SMITH OF HATCH WAS BEING TREATED AT A CLINIC THERE WHEN HE BECAME COMBATIVE AND DISPLAYED AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR TOWARD THE STAFF. WHEN AN OFFICER ARRIVED, SMITH REACHED INTO HIS POCKET AND PULLED OUT A FULLY LOADED 357 REVOLVER, POINTING IT AT THE NURSE BY HIS SIDE.
THE OFFICER QUICKLY GRABBED SMITH’S ARM AND KNOCKED THE GUN OUT OF HIS HAND. AT THAT POINT THE NURSE KICKED THE GUN OUT OF REACH. THE NURSE AND ANOTHER STAFF MEMBER TOLD POLICE THEY WERE IN FEAR OF BEING SHOT.
SMITH IS NOW IN THE DONA ANA COUNTY DETENTION CENTER WHERE HE IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BOND.
