Video of US Officer Killing Baby Rabbit Resurfaces – Sheriff Fires 4, Including Deputy Who Tried to Save It

A disturbing video showing former Grant County sheriff's deputy Alejandro Gomez throwing a baby rabbit against a patrol vehicle has resurfaced, renewing attention on a 2024 incident involving four deputies who were later fired by the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

Gomez was among those fired, while Deputy Marcus Salas reported the incident and later took his concerns to New Mexico State Police. The footage shows Salas resisting Gomez's attempts to take the rabbit.

Salas Refused to Hand Over the Rabbit

The incident occurred on 16 August 2024, when Salas was working overtime near Hachita with Gomez, Corporal Cesar Torres, and Sgt. Brandon Reese. Salas spotted a baby rabbit in the roadway and stopped. When the animal did not move, he picked it up, took photographs, and planned to release it away from the road.

The other deputies gathered around as the interaction was recorded, with the affidavit describing laughter among those present. When Gomez asked for the rabbit, Salas refused, as he believed Gomez might hurt it.

The situation escalated when Gomez pulled his Taser and pointed it toward Salas. Gomez then demanded that he hand over the animal.

"You're Going to F***ing Kill It"

The video recording captures the confrontation that followed. Salas can be heard warning Gomez, 'You're going to f***ing kill it.'

Gomez replied, 'I won't throw it. I swear.' According to New Mexico State Police Agent Justin Blacklock's review of the footage, Salas was told to hand over the rabbit seven times during the recording. The video shows Gomez taking the animal before throwing it against the side of a parked sheriff's vehicle, leaving it fatally injured.

Salas told investigators that he then dispatched the rabbit as it lay dying to prevent further suffering. He later expressed distress over what happened.

Four Deputies Lost Their Jobs

The incident became part of a wider internal investigation at the Grant County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Raul Villanueva said four deputies, Alejandro Gomez, Marcus Salas, Cesar Torres, and Brandon Reese, were ultimately fired for misconduct.

Villanueva and Salas have offered different accounts of when the rabbit incident was reported. Salas has maintained that he disclosed the incident to an internal investigator and provided video of it.

Through his attorney, Adam Flores, Salas has alleged that his dismissal was retaliatory. Flores also said a misconduct report, known as an LEA-90, made it more difficult for Salas to find another law enforcement position. Salas later took the allegations to the New Mexico State Police, which investigated the incidents and pursued criminal charges against Gomez.

Gomez Faced Criminal Charges

The investigation led to four third-degree felony aggravated assault charges against Gomez and one fourth-degree felony charge of extreme cruelty to animals. A magistrate judge later dismissed the four assault charges while allowing the animal-cruelty charge to proceed to district court.

In June 2026, Gomez reached a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of attempting to commit a felony, resolving the case that stemmed from the animal-cruelty charge. He received 364 days of unsupervised probation and agreed to relinquish his New Mexico law-enforcement certification.

Salas Returns to Law Enforcement

Despite his dismissal from the Grant County Sheriff's Office, Salas later returned to law enforcement. The Hurley Town Council approved his hiring as a patrol officer with the Hurley Police Department under Chief Kevin Vigil.

Salas welcomed the opportunity to begin a new chapter in the community where he lives. 'I'm excited to pursue this next chapter,' Salas told the Silver City Daily Press. 'I am from Hurley. I've lived here for three years, so I'm very familiar with the community. ... I look forward to helping individuals in need.'