Lawsuit: Silver City hired violent cop who later killed ex

Russell Contreras
Associated Press
In the lawsuit, which moved to U.S. District Court in Albuquerque this week, the family of Nikki Bascom alleges that the Silver City police hired Mark Contreras despite his history of violence.

ALBUQUERQUE - The town of Silver City and its police department failed to stop a police captain from stalking his ex-girlfriend despite a number of complaints, and his violent behavior eventually led to her death, according to a lawsuit in federal court.

In the lawsuit, which moved to U.S. District Court in Albuquerque this week, the family of Nikki Bascom alleges that the Silver City police hired Mark Contreras despite his history of violence. After Contreras joined the department, court documents say the agency did little to stop his physical abuse toward Bascom, 31, and eventually promoted him to captain.

According to court documents, Contreras continued to harass Bascom after the couple broke up and accused her of having an affair with her boss. He also threatened her boss and tried to bait him “into a gunfight” outside of his house, the lawsuit said.

More:Hidalgo Medical Services mourns the loss of Bascom

“On multiple occasions, Contreras threatened to kill Nikki if she ever took their daughter, A.C., away from him, if she ever got a restraining order, or if she ever caused him to lose his job,” the lawsuit said.

After each episode, Bascom contacted Silver City police but he remained on the job.

On the day of Bascom’s death, Contreras armed with his gun came to her home in uniform and in his police vehicle and blocked her from leaving her driveway, the lawsuit said. He then “reached into her car and ‘ripped’ her cell phone from her hand,” court documents said.

The lawsuit said she informed Chief Ed Reynolds of the incident but police did little to protect her. Bascom fled to a domestic violence center where Contreras allegedly banged on the door of the shelter, the lawsuit said.

More:Jimenez receives HMS scholarship in honor of Nikki Bascom

Moments before Bascom was killed in April 2016, the lawsuit said a Grant County sheriff’s sergeant spotted Contreras driving through Bascom’s boss neighborhood but didn’t pull him over.

Authorities say moments later Contreras shot and killed the 31-year-old Bascom in her friend’s driveway then shot and killed himself.

The town of Silver City, its police department, Silver City police chief Reynolds and Grant County are named in the lawsuit.

Reynolds and Cody Rogers, an attorney for Silver City, did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press.

Jonlyn Martinez, a lawyer for Grant County, also did not immediately return an email.

The family is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

Joseph Kennedy, an attorney for Bascom’s mother, said Bascom’s two children live with their grandmother out of state.

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