1964 Socorro Incident: Lonnie Zamora''''s Close Encounter

On April 24, 1964, police sergeant Lonnie Zamora of Socorro, New Mexico, was chasing a speeding vehicle when he suddenly saw flames and a loud noise in the sky. He changed direction to investigate and discovered an egg-shaped silver object resting on the desert ground, with two small white humanoid figures standing nearby.

Zamora was only about 30 meters from the object and could clearly see a strange red symbol on its surface—an arrow piercing a circle. As he tried to move closer, the object emitted a roaring sound and blue flames, then lifted off vertically and flew away. The scene left behind scorched bushes and four indented footprints.

The U.S. Air Force’s Project Blue Book classified this incident as “unexplained.” Dr. J. Allen Hynek personally investigated the scene and praised Zamora as an “exemplary witness.”

📚 Sources

• Zamora, L. Official Statement to Socorro Police (April 24, 1964)
• Project Blue Book, “Socorro Incident Case File” (1964)
• Hynek, J.A. “The Hynek UFO Report” (1977)