Search procedures in deadly standoff investigated

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office says it’s going to take more time to investigate how a man who committed suicide in the back of a patrol car was able to get a gun past a deputy.

The incident happened Tuesday when police arrested Carlos Mendoza on drug charges. While the El Paso County sheriff’s deputy was transporting Mendoza to jail, he slipped his handcuffs in front of him and pulled out a gun, pointing it to his head. The deputy was able to pull over and leave the car, leaving Mendoza in an hours-long standoff with law enforcement.

On Tuesday night, El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder said missing items during a search is an unfortunate “nature of the game,” saying sometimes a dangerous item can go unnoticed.

The Critical Incident Team, a team made up of multiple law enforcement agencies, will investigate the search procedure.

According to Peter Klismet, a retired FBI negotiator, there’s no excuse for not searching a person thoroughly.

“To me, it’s not the name of the game,” Klismet said. “I don’t think there’s any officer out there who can just make that statement that, ‘It’s just one of those things that happens.’ Unless the gun fairy came flying through the window and left him a gun, how they would not find a gun on a guy who didn’t hardly have any clothing on would be amazing to me.”

The Sheriff’s Office did not give any indication as to when the investigation into the search procedure would be complete.