Man tasered after pointing gun at cop

By Jim Tiffin
Staff Writer

Timothy Vigil

GRANTS — A preliminary hearing has been set for Tuesday in a case of alleged domestic violence that nearly became out of control and included pointing a rifle at Grants police officers.

Timothy Vigil, 51, of 900 1/2 Melvin, was still in custody at the Cibola County Detention Center late Friday on a $10,000 cash or surety bond in connection with one felony aggravated assault charge against a police officer, two aggravated assault charges against a household member and battery on a household member.

A call to police about a male with a weapon turned into a call about a man with a gun as police arrived on scene, Grants Police Chief Marty Vigil said Thursday night.

"He (Timothy Vigil) walked out pointing the rifle at our officers, who took cover and didn't shoot. When he turned his head for just a second, James Spidle used the taser," Vigil said.

"When we put him the car his question was, 'What did you guys do to me'?" Vigil said.

The following occurred, according to Cibola County Magistrate Court records that were obtained by The Independent Friday:

About 9:30 a.m., Superbowl Sunday (Feb. 6), Vigil allegedly began stabbing a door with a pocketknife in the trailer where he and a woman with whom he has common children live. He then became threatening toward her and following the knife incident armed himself with a rifle. Vigil said it was a .22-caliber rifle.

Court records stated: While Timothy Vigil was threatening the woman, he allegedly pushed her into a wall inside the trailer.

As police arrived, he walked outside with the rifle, pointed it toward Officer Monica Porter and shouted "Kill me Sylvia."

At this point Vigil moved to the north side of a red vehicle parked near the trailer and Spidle started talking to him.

Vigil then dropped to his knees pointing the rifle to his chin.

It was at this point Vigil was tasered.

Vigil faces between three and seven years in state prison on the charges, a $16,000 fine, or both if prosecuted and convicted.

A "domestic violence with children" case is open in 13th Judicial District Court from a Feb. 7 petition against Vigil by the same woman, according to the New Mexico Judiciary Web site. A temporary restraining order hearing is set in district court for Feb. 17.

— To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin@blackmesa-isp.net.