Albuquerque New Mexico’s new police chief Gordon Eden seems to think that the latest officer involved shooting that killed a homeless man was justified.
But new video released Friday is raising questions about what threat if any the victim posed when he was shot numerous times.
Police say 38-year-old James M. Boyd is the man who was killed. Boyd was arguing with police for hours last Sunday from his alleged illegal encampment after officers asked him to leave.
At a press conference this Friday, Chief Eden said Boyd pulled two knives on the officers when they first went to talk to him.
Chief Eden said Officers Keith Sandy and Dominque Perez each fired their rifles three times.
It’s unclear how many bullets hit Boyd.
Chief Eden called the shooting “justified,” saying officers also used non-lethal force, first throwing a flash bang grenade while releasing a dog, simultaneously using a taser gun and bean bag rounds.
But the video shows Boyd seemingly preparing to comply with the officers’ demands, asking them to “keep your word” while he gathered his belongings and began to walk down the embankment.
Suddenly, a flash bang grenade went off and the officers closed in on Boyd, yelling at him to get on the ground. Seconds later, he is shot multiple times as he clearly was turning away.
Watch the video and judge for yourself (some viewers may find it disturbing):
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