ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico grieves the death of an unarmed woman at the hands of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) yesterday. The organization calls for a transparent and thorough investigation and that the officers involved must be held accountable.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, the killing took place in Northeast Albuquerque where the woman was hiding from police in a backyard shed. Despite drone footage showing the woman was holding a cell phone, APD officers reportedly mistook her phone for a gun when she opened the shed. At least one officer fatally shot her.
The following can be attributed to ACLU of New Mexico Policing Policy Advocate Daniel Williams:
"We are deeply troubled by the recurring deaths of unarmed individuals at the hands of the APD. The people of Albuquerque deserve a rigorous and transparent investigation into this incident to ensure accountability for those involved.
The Albuquerque Police Department's track record, exemplified by cases like Collin Neztsosie, Shannon Candelario, and Jesus Crosby, underscores the urgent need for change. These individuals tragically lost their lives while innocently carrying everyday items misconstrued as weapons by officers. Despite nearly ten years of oversight due to the Court Approved Settlement Agreement (CASA), the people of Albuquerque continue to see tragedy after tragedy resulting from APD’s interactions with the public.
The City of Albuquerque must commit to building on the reforms instituted through the CASA to ensure a police force that respects the rights and lives of all the people of Albuquerque. Though the specifics of this latest incident are yet to be fully revealed, the stark reality remains: New Mexico ranks among the highest in the nation for police-involved fatalities per capita.
While we appreciate the chief's transparency, we hope this tragic incident serves as a teaching moment for the state's law enforcement community to rethink how they respond to low-level offenses and emphasize the need for robust de-escalation tactics.
Our sincere condolences go out to the family of the individual killed by APD officers during yesterday's tragic event."
