Albuquerque –
At 12:30 PM, officials held a press conference about the officer-involved shooting at 12200 Montgomery. We learned that around 8:15 AM on Friday, February 28, an employer called 911 because her employee, who was also a friend, reported wanting to self-harm. Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) initially responded but was unable to make contact with the individual. Officers from the Foothills Area Command were then dispatched.
Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers made contact with the man at his apartment door with a gun. APD Deputy Chief of Police for field services Cecily Barker said the officers identified themselves as police, and ordered him to drop the firearm. Deputy Chief Barker reported that at least one officer discharged their weapon. A neighbor sent us a video of APD launching a drone into the apartment before officers physically re-entered. Deputy Chief Barker stated that officers found a firearm next to the man.
Deputy Chief Barker said she was unaware of any prior Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) history involving the individual. At this early stage of the investigation, Deputy Chief Barker said APD is not able to confirm if the man fired his weapon. Deputy Chief Barker explained that officers had to conduct a welfare check because the man did not respond to ACS and had made self-harm threats.
This is currently an active and ongoing investigation, led by the Multi-Agency Task Force. No officers were injured. No further details regarding the incident have been made available.
Great job APD, you just protected no one at the expense of the life of someone struggling with their mental health. I’m sure the concerned friend is relieved. If you want to improve the mental health crisis in our city, you might want to stop being a part of it.
Maybe he should have put the gin down when instructed? No telling what someone in a mental crisis wielding a gun may do. Don’t blame the police, blame leadership for failing the people with mental health issues wasting tax payer money on unnecessary things rather than focusing on what the real problems are.
*gun
Maybe he should have put the gun down.
The only one responsible for this person’s death is the one who shot him.
It’s called Suicide by Cop. This person knew the Police were at his door. This person knew if he brandished a gun they would shoot him. This person brought this on himself. I feel sorry for the Cop who has to live with this situation the rest of their life. Back the Blue! Ain’t saying….
Suicide by cop is only a thing because cops are known to shoot people. If fewer cops shot fewer people under less than catastrophic circumstances, it would cease to be as viable an option. Also, this whole thing started with a concerned friend calling, the victim clearly did not plan ahead for this. Additionally, the cops came with guns when ACS was unable to make contact, if it was just about being able to get this man safe, they didn’t have to have their guns out. The lack of information about how many cops shot at this person or how the individual had been holding his gun before the shooting indicates there is no clarity that this was a reasonable reaction from police. There are ways to bring suicidal people to safety without the threat of violence.