Dakota Perkins held without bail after Roswell police shootout

Dakota Perkins will remain behind bars until trial in Roswell following gunfire that wounded two law enforcement officers. The judge ordered the 29-year-old held without bond on Wednesday after reviewing court filings. He faces eight charges, including two counts of attempt to commit first-degree murder.

The incident began on August 28 at 12:30 a.m. with a call to dispatchers. A woman reported her boyfriend was suicidal and armed with multiple firearms. He had locked himself inside a bedroom near Orchard and 6th Street.

Dispatchers learned Perkins had been drinking, court documents show. Responding officers said they heard screaming coming from inside the residence. Police stated Perkins was wearing body armor and opened fire as they approached.

According to court documents, Perkins fired an automatic weapon at the officers. An officer on the scene told investigators he heard around a hundred gunshots fired. He surrendered later that night.

A mother, a 9-year-old boy, and a 7-year-old girl escaped safely during the gunfire. Radio traffic reports showed a Roswell officer was struck in the neck at 12:35 a.m. A Chaves County Sheriff’s deputy reported being hit in the arm at 12:43 a.m.

Both wounded law enforcement officers are back home and are expected to recover. Court documents state a SWAT sniper shot Perkins during the confrontation. At 1:17 a.m., an officer said the suspect was on the phone and ready to give up.

Investigators said Perkins possessed a flashbang device before leaving the residence. Police allowed him to throw the device outside. Court documents noted he had pulled the pin out of the device already.

Officers arrested Perkins after he stepped outside the house. He went to a hospital for treatment of a hand injury. SWAT members also discovered Tannerite explosive powder inside the house.

First-degree murder charges in New Mexico involve allegations of deliberate, intentional acts to cause death. Pretrial detention orders keep defendants locked in a local facility pending a jury trial. Roswell law enforcement agencies routinely conduct joint responses to tactical calls.

Perkins remains held in custody pending further legal action.