Salvador Valdiviezo Obituary, Death: El Paso man ID’d after fatal police shootout during Upper Valley domestic violence call.

Salvador Valdiviezo Obituary, Death – An El Paso man who was killed during a shootout with police officers responding to a domestic violence call has been identified as 35-year-old Salvador Valdiviezo, according to local authorities.
The violent encounter took place on Sunday afternoon, June 1, when officers with the El Paso Police Department were dispatched to a reported domestic disturbance at a home located in the 6400 block of Passo Via Street, near Borderland Road in the city’s Upper Valley neighborhood.
Sgt. Robert Gomez, a spokesperson for the El Paso Police Department, confirmed that two officers arrived on the scene in response to the emergency call. As the officers neared the residence, Valdiviezo reportedly opened fire on them with a handgun. The confrontation quickly escalated, prompting both officers to return fire in defense. During the exchange, Valdiviezo was struck multiple times by police gunfire.
Detective Judy Oviedo, another spokesperson for the department, provided additional details in a statement released on Monday. According to Oviedo, one of the officers involved — a female — was also shot during the incident. She was quickly transported to the University Medical Center of El Paso for treatment. Officials reported that she remains hospitalized in stable condition, and no other officers were physically harmed during the incident.
Valdiviezo, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was also taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Despite medical efforts, he died from his injuries shortly after arrival.
The police have not yet released the names of the two officers involved in the exchange of gunfire. However, officials noted that both have been with the department for approximately two years. It is standard protocol for officers involved in shootings to be placed on administrative leave while the incident is under investigation.
This case now becomes part of an internal review and investigation process that is typical after officer-involved shootings. Authorities will examine body camera footage, gather physical evidence from the scene, and interview all relevant witnesses. The purpose of the investigation is to determine the full sequence of events and assess whether proper procedures were followed.
Meanwhile, the initial reason for police response — the domestic violence call — remains under review. Officials have not yet released details about who placed the 911 call or the specific nature of the disturbance. It is unclear whether Valdiviezo was the subject of the complaint or if any other individuals in the home were involved or injured prior to the police arriving.
The incident has once again brought attention to the dangers that law enforcement officers face when responding to domestic violence calls, which are frequently unpredictable and volatile. These types of situations are considered some of the most dangerous for police because tensions are typically high, emotions are volatile, and the presence of weapons can quickly escalate matters to deadly violence.
Community leaders and residents have expressed concern over the shooting, particularly the injury of the responding officer and the loss of life. Some in the community are calling for a deeper understanding of what led to the domestic violence report and how the situation unfolded so rapidly into a gun battle.
The shooting has also sparked conversations about the importance of police training, especially in managing high-stress and potentially life-threatening encounters. While El Paso police have not yet indicated whether the involved officers were equipped with body cameras, it is likely that any available video footage will play a key role in reconstructing the incident.
The female officer who was injured is expected to recover, and the police department has not released further updates on her condition beyond stating that she remains in stable condition.
Meanwhile, the identity of Salvador Valdiviezo has prompted questions about his background and whether he had any prior encounters with law enforcement. Police have not released information regarding his criminal history, if any, or any prior domestic violence reports linked to him.
Authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information related to the incident to come forward. Residents in the neighborhood where the shooting occurred have been cooperating with investigators, and the area has returned to normal operations following a brief lockdown during the initial investigation on Sunday.
As the investigation continues, the El Paso Police Department has emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability. Any findings, particularly those related to the use of force, will be reviewed internally and, if necessary, externally to ensure that department protocols were followed and that any lessons learned are incorporated into future training.
The death of Valdiviezo, combined with the injury to the officer, serves as a grim reminder of the risks inherent in policing and the devastating consequences of domestic violence incidents that spiral out of control. As more information becomes available in the coming days, the community will be looking for answers and a clearer understanding of what led to this fatal encounter in an otherwise quiet residential neighborhood.