The search for a man wanted by a number of local and federal law enforcement agencies is over following his death in New Mexico.
The U.S. Department of Justice says 36 year old Benjamin Manley was wanted by the Council Bluffs Police Department and U.S. Marshals-Metro Area Fugitive Task Force on a number of charges out of Council Bluffs, including attempted murder. U.S. Marshals say Manley had a history of shooting at police officers and was considered armed and dangerous.
Manley was the suspect in a Council Bluffs shooting on Thanksgiving where a suspect walked up to a woman randomly outside of a gas station and began shooting at her car as she drove away. Manley had also served time in prison for shooting at a U.S. Marshal back in 2007.
A statement from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol details a pursuit and shoot out with a man believed to be Manley, though his name is not specifically used in the release. A statement from the U.S. Marshals said, “The Metro Fugitive Task Force is no longer looking for Manley based off the incident in New Mexico.”
CBP says around 9:30 Wednesday morning, border patrol agents attempted to stop a silver Chevrolet Impala that was trying to avoid an immigration checkpoint near Las Cruces, New Mexico. CBP says the vehicle failed to stop at the checkpoint, so agents initiated a pursuit. Investigators say the driver, believed to be Benjamin Manley, fired several rounds at the agents, with the officers returning fire. CBP says the pursuit ended near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
Manley was transported to a local area hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead. CBP says it isn't clear at this time whether Manley’s death was caused by the exchange of gunfire or was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A female passenger was taken into custody following the pursuit.
The incident remains under investigation.
(Photo by US Marshals)