Career Convicted Felon Identified as Person Shot and Killed by APD

Albuquerque –

Robert Salas, 35, was shot by officers on Friday shortly after 7 p.m. following a foot chase across a busy intersection at Central Ave, at San Mateo Blvd. Salas stopped running and hid behind a pillar at a vacant Walgreens building at 5201 Central Ave.

PATREON MEMBERS CAN SEE EXCLUSIVE RAW VIDEO FROM THE SCENE HERE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/graphic-apd-man-159691455?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

An officer with a Taser gave commands for Salas to drop the knife he had in hand. Salas maneuvered around the pillar where a second officer drove up, exited her vehicle and drew her handgun. She also gave commands for Salas to drop the knife. Within seconds, Salas charged at the officer with the knife. Both officers fired their weapons, striking and killing Salas.

Salas had a lengthy history of violent crime dating to 2014 with much of it in Las Cruces, NM, Sunland Park, and El Paso TX. He pleaded guilty to child abuse in 2019 and served time in prison. More recently, Salas was charged in Albuquerque for several crimes, including False Imprisonment, Battery against a Household Member. He was on probation at the time of Friday’s interaction with police.

Over the next several months, the Multi-Agency Task Force will continue to investigate and analyze this incident. Detectives will interview any new witnesses that come forward and complete any forensic tests. After the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office to make any determination of criminal charges.

APD’s Internal Affairs Force Division will also investigate the shooting to determine whether the department’s policies were followed. The results of the administrative investigation will be forwarded to the city’s Superintendent of Police Reform to make final decisions on discipline.

APD’s Force Review Board, made up of deputy chiefs, will also review the incident to identify trends and potential policy changes that may be needed in response to any shortcomings that are identified.