03/25/2014 // West Palm Beach, Florida, US // JusticeNewsFlash // Justice News Flash // (press release)
Albuquerque – Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry stated Monday that a police chief’s comments that the shooting of a homeless camper, which took place earlier this month, was justified was wrong. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), Berry further stated that he wanted to enlist the help of outsiders to investigate the fatal shooting, in which 38-year-old James Boyd was killed.
The department has reportedly been under federal scrutiny due to the number of shootings that have occurred in the past four years. In the incident on March 16, Boyd died after stun guns, bean bags, and live rounds were fired by officers. Police Chief Gorden Eden claimed he made threats to officers and was holding knives while being approached by an unarmed officer. Video from a helmet camera showed Boyd gathering his possessions and turning away prior to being shot.
Berry is quoted as stating of Eden’s comments, “The chief got asked an honest question and he gave an honest answer… Unfortunately, it was premature and a mistake, and that will not happen again.”
Berry further stated of the Las Cruces Police Department being invited to assist with an independent five-agency investigation of the shooting, “They are from outside the metro area and it’ll be good to get a sixth look at it.”
This report is provided by Justice News Flash – New Mexico Legal News
Media Information:
Address: 215 South Olive Suite 300 W. Palm Beach FL 33401
Phone: 866-598-1315
Url: http://justicenews.visionsmartnews.com/albuquerque-mayor-saying-homeless-camper-shooting-justified-was-wrong_11707.html
