Murder suspect kills self in New Mexico

Karen Zekan

Monday, May 11, 1998 | 11:08 a.m.

A man wanted in connection with a Las Vegas murder last week killed himself with a bullet to his head during a standoff with authorities in Sandoval County, N.M.

Michael Duhamel, 37, fired the fatal round as officers approached his 1997 Jeep Wrangler about 11 a.m. Saturday after leading authorities on a 28-mile pursuit along Interstate 25 from Pacitas toward Santa Fe.

Duhamel's brother, who lives in Placitas, called authorities at 9:45 a.m. after Duhamel allegedly confessed to killing someone in Las Vegas on Friday.

Deputies from the Sandoval County Sheriff's Department were en route to the brother's home when the brother called back, claiming Duhamel had arrived and left.

Authorities failed in their attempts to stop Duhamel's car about three miles from his brother's home. Duhamel got on the freeway, then crashed about a half-hour later when he struck a Santa Fe County officer's patrol car while trying to avoid a spike belt in the road.

New Mexico authorities said Duhamel had a gun in his hand during the entire pursuit but never pointed at officers.

Duhamel was wanted in connection with a shooting death Friday. Metro Police received 911 calls -- including one from the victim -- about 6 p.m. reporting a male had been wounded at 1460 Hialeah Drive, apt. D., near Maryland Parkway and Harmon Avenue. The victim was transported to University Medical Center where he died at 11:15 p.m.

Metro homicide Sgt. Kevin Manning said the victim identified Michael Duhamel as both his friend and the gunman when he made the 911 call. An investigation determined that Duhamel drove all night to Albuquerque before calling his brother upon arriving in Placitas.