MS-13 Gang Member Sparks Shootout, Shoots 3 Officers in Ambush Attacks

On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, PPD Detective Roman Castro received information that Billy Soto, who was wanted on an active warrant for attempted homicide, was observed in the 1200 block of Pine Street. Detective Castro passed this information on to PPD Officers Devin Valdez and Steven Gardner, who responded to the area of Cedar Street and West Mesa Avenue. Soto immediately fired upon the officers with a rifle, with Officer Valdez being shot in the head before either officer was able to get out of their vehicles. No officers returned fire at this location.

As additional PPD Officers and PCSO Deputies responded to search for Soto, he fired upon officers and deputies from the backyard of 1223 Pine Street. PPD Sergeant Loghan O'Hayre was in the alley behind that address along with other officers and deputies, and Sergeant O'Hayre was shot by Soto in the leg and arm at that time. No officers or deputies returned fire at this location.

Officers and Deputies continued to look for Soto when he shot at officers for a third time, which resulted in PPD Captain Gabe Maldonado being shot in the face and neck in the alley behind 1224 Pine Street. After Captain Maldonado was wounded, the officers and deputies who were in the area were able to determine Soto's location on a nearby roof. Soto continued to fire at officers, and four officers from PPD and four deputies from PCSO returned fire, fatally wounding Soto.

According to Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller, Soto was out of jail on bond while facing three open felony cases. He had a criminal history that included 14 prior felony arrests, many of which had been reduced to misdemeanor convictions. Noeller also stated that Soto was a “self-admitted” MS-13 gang member.

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