SWAT Standoff Ends in a Blaze

Albuquerque, NM - The United States Marshal Service in New Mexico, Task Force Officers assigned to the Marshals Service South West Investigative Fugitive Team (SWIFT) Taskforce, SWAT Officers from the Grant and Luna County Sheriff’s Offices and Investigators with Homeland Security Investigations BEST unit arrested fugitive Nathan Rowland in Silver City, NM late Tuesday night after a tense standoff. Rowland wanted by the New Mexico Corrections Department and listed as one of the New Mexico Corrections Departments Most Wanted Offenders was added to the U.S. Marshals Service Most Wanted earlier this month. Rowland was wanted on charges of absconding from probation, drug possession, assault/battery, aggravated assault against a household member, larceny of a firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm.

SWIFT Task Force Investigators developed information that a possible suspect in a shooting at a rest stop between Deming and Silver City was fugitive Nathan Rowland. Based on information gathered by investigators, SWIFT investigators and Task Force Officers responded to the Silver City NM area Tuesday afternoon. Investigators identified the suspected location where Rowland was attempting to hide. Law enforcement surrounded the residence and safely evacuated the owner and other occupants. Investigators confirmed that Rowland was in the residence. They also developed information Rowland was armed.

SWAT members from the Grant and Luna County Sheriffs’ Offices were called in to help safely handle the allegedly armed fugitive. After several hours of a tense standoff with Law Enforcement, less than lethal chemical agents were deployed inside the residence, but Rowland refused to exit. After several minutes, the residence began to smoke near the back bedroom and a fire broke out. Firefighters who were on standby were able to control the fire while SWAT members entered the residence and located Rowland. He was taken into custody without further incident and was transported to the local hospital for medical treatment. Once released from the hospital, he was booked into Grant County Detention Center.

United States Marshal Conrad E. Candelaria commented "due to the extraordinary efforts of the Marshals Service fugitive task force, this dangerous fugitive can no longer cause terror in our communities by engaging in random acts of violence. The fugitive task force that is comprised of many law enforcement agencies partnered with Deputy United States Marshals combing every investigative lead that would eventually reveal the whereabouts of this violent fugitive; the success of this investigation is a testament to the exceptional investigative skill and expertise that exists in the District of New Mexico's fugitive task force".