Two men killed in officer-involved shootings in Albuquerque in late May

Albuquerque Police have released details on two fatal officer-involved shootings in late May, part of four such incidents in ten days.

Two deadly APD shootings: new details on Armas and Salas cases

Albuquerque Police have released new details on two fatal officer-involved shootings that occurred in late May, kob.com reports. The incidents were among four officer-involved shootings recorded by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) within a ten-day span.

The first shooting took place on May 26th, after a friend called 911 to request a welfare check on 23-year-old Jose Armas. "I wanted to see if a friend of mine could get a welfare check, they are, were, talking about hurting themselves," the caller told dispatch.

Officers arrived to find Armas' brother at the scene already attempting to help. Upon learning Armas was armed, officers moved family members away from the door. According to police, officers spent approximately 45 minutes attempting to de-escalate the situation before Armas retreated inside the home and began firing toward them from an upstairs window.

Armas subsequently walked out of the residence and discharged his weapon into the air. Two officers returned fire, striking him in the chest and arm. Armas was pronounced dead at the scene.

The second shooting occurred on May 29th. Officers responded to a trespassing complaint at the Castle Mega Store near Central Avenue and San Mateo Boulevard. Police said 35-year-old Robert Salas was among several people trespassing at the location before he fled to a vacant Walgreens across the street.

An officer initially deployed a Taser, but Salas disregarded commands and advanced toward another officer with a knife. Both officers then opened fire. Salas was struck three times — once in the head and once in each leg — and died at the scene.

APD has not indicated whether either shooting is currently under review by an independent oversight body.

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)