Editor’s note: This article is an update about this article.
Albuquerque police released video that shows 23-year old Jose Armad firing and shattering a patrol car windshield before police shot him.
According to them, this happened Tuesday evening near Eighth Street and Bellamah Avenue after officers responded to a call about Armas threatening to take his own life.
Police said officers shot back and killed Armas. In the released body camera video, gunshots ring out, glass shattered, and officer take cover.
“Cops could have and should have stopped him from ever going back over here but they let him and scared him back into the house, prompting him to get a weapon,” said Elier Ramirez, Armas’ brother.
APD Chief Cecily Barker said two officers suffered shrapnel injuries when the gunfire hit the patrol unit, but they are fine.
Meanwhile, police said a multi-agency task force and the department’s Internal Affairs Force division will investigate the shooting to determine whether officers followed protocol.
Victims who struggle with mental health tend to see this kind of situation as overwhelming, prompting them to act violent. However, it is also the duty of the officers to understand the situation.
However, when things escalate, officers’ lives are at stake. It is relatively crucial how they would take charge. This is where the line between compassion and duty lies.