Editor’s note: This article is the follow-up of this article.
The man has been identified as 23 year old Jose Armas. The family of the man said police could have done more before any any shots were fired.
The family called 911 because he threatened to take his own life.
Elier Ramirez, Armas’ brother, said Armas has been struggling recently, and on Tuesday night the family called the police in hopes of getting help for his mental health, not protection.
“My brother was suicidal; he needed help, and we called the cops for help. Not for protection, but for help for his mentality, and that’s all he needed, and we let the cops know that firsthand,” said Ramirez.
The family said officers could have handled the situation better before gunfire started. Albuquerque police shot and killed Armas after police said he fired his gun.
In times that families no longer know what to do, they seek rescue to the officials. This is where the crucial part of officials’ job has to be careful and be vigilant.
“He came out not armed at first, and that’s why we, we think that they could have done way better. He was unarmed and he showed that to them by pulling down his pants and showing them that they all, that he didn’t have a gun,” said Ramirez.
“My mom was there telling them he just needed help. And we were there to help him. But they decided to use more force than they needed to, and they could have stopped it, and we saw that,” said Ramirez.
Why the Police and Not Community Safety?
Question lingers as to why the officers responded instead of Albuquerque Community Safety who often handles behavioral health calls. APD said then officers responded because Armas was threatening to take his own life with a firearm.
Both Police and Community Safety could have arrive on the scene instead of Police alone. What could have been if Community Safety is also involved?
Ramirez said he is more frustrated over how their family found out his brother had been shot to death.
“Everyone and the public was able to know more than the family did. We didn’t get asked questions, we were there from the beginning, and yet we were treated like some pedestrians,” said Ramirez. “We had to work our way around it to even find out that he died,” said Ramirez.
“More Heart, Less of Hurting Someone”
Ramirez has one message for APD:
“I would say that you guys should look at a situation with more heart, and with less want to hurt someone. Or just to stop a situation completely, and putting it to an immediate end. My brother deserved to get help. And it’s really hard to get help at this time. And they shouldn’t have pushed him to the edge like that.”
APD said an extensive investigation will determine whether anyone will file charges
Officers can be strict and ruthless for most of the time, but in matters such as this, a little compassion and empathy are needed in order to do their job right and save lives as mandated by their duty.
Mental health is a serious matter that should be handled with emotions not with violence.