Albuquerque police shot and killed 38-year-old homeless man James M Boyd earlier this month. The APD has released police helmet cam footage that has sparked debate over whether or not their use of deadly force was justified.
Police approached Boyd about camping in an open area on March 16, but he refused to leave or comply with police orders. Boyd had had a long history of violent offences and mental health related issues. Officers tried talking to him for over three hours before they resorted to the use of deadly force around 7:30 p.m.
Authorities first fired a stun-grenade at Boyd before sending in a police dog that video footage shows appearing to bite his hand and letting go. After Boyd refused to drop the two knives he was wielding at the time, officers moved in to subdue him.
The crucial moment in the police's justification for the shooting came when the officer in charge of the police dog attempted to redirect the dog's attention towards the suspect. The video shows Boyd appearing to turn around yet Albuquerque Police Chief Gordon Eden stated the unarmed officer was threatened.
Officers are then seen using a taser and six live rounds on Boyd, bringing him to the ground. They command him to drop the knives, but he doesn't respond. They fire several bean-bag rounds at him and unleash the dog before approaching with caution. Boyd was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Chief Eden defended the officers' actions at press conference citing "Garner vs Tennessee" to justify the shooting. The officers who fired three times each, Keith Sandy and Dominique Perez, have been placed on leave. The Federal Department of Justice has been investigating of the APD's use of force since 2012.
