- As they were collecting the weapons, they saw that the handgun was loaded and the rifle still had the malfunctioning round in the chamber.
A Rio Rancho man reportedly tried to shoot a Rio Rancho police officer with an assault rifle last week.
At 4:16 a.m. June 3, officers were dispatched to a call of a welfare check in the 300 block of Soothing Meadows Drive.
The calling party was “hard to understand,” but said someone was trying to murder him. The individual hung up before dispatch could get additional information.
Dispatch tried to call back, but that person did not answer, according to a criminal complaint.
When the officers arrived at the house on Soothing Meadows Drive, they saw an open garage. After they announced their presence, 37-year-old Sean Smith came out from behind a pickup and pointed a rifle at the officers.
Lt. Jacquelynn Reedy told the Observer that it was an assault rifle.
Smith reportedly tried to fire one round, but it malfunctioned and did not fire, the complaint states.
Officers were able to arrest Smith without anyone getting hurt.
During a search, officers secured a rifle and handgun that were on top of a green, military-type bag.
As they were collecting the weapons, they saw that the handgun was loaded and the rifle still had the malfunctioning round in the chamber.
A shotgun was later found inside the green bag.
Smith gave no plea at his June 3 initial appearance.
The case has been transferred over to district court.
If convicted, he could face up to 1.5 years in prison and pay a $5,000 fine.
