FBI Investigating Albuquerque Police Shooting Of Camper
Source: Associated Press
FBI Investigating Albuquerque Police Shooting Of Camper
AP | by JERI CLAUSING
Posted: 03/28/2014 6:29 pm EDT Updated: 03/28/2014 6:59 pm EDT
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The FBI has opened an investigation into the recent police shooting of a homeless camper as he appeared to be surrendering, officials said Friday.
It is the first confirmed criminal investigation of Albuquerque police by federal officials, who more than a year ago launched a civil rights probe of the department over allegations of excessive force and a spike in police shootings. Since 2010, police have been involved in 37 shootings, 23 of them fatal.
In a statement, the FBI said it will investigate the fatal March 16 shooting to "assure the public that a thorough and fair investigation will be conducted."
Community leader Ralph Arellanes hailed the announcement, but he said it was "long overdue."
"This was something that caught the attention of the world," Arellanes, director of the League of United Latin American Citizens' New Mexico chapter and a member of the city's police oversight task force, said in reference to video of the shooting that was posted on numerous websites. "It's a tremendous injustice. A tremendous tragedy. And I also think there are more cases that (the U.S. Department of Justice) needs to refer for criminal proceedings."
Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/28/james-boyd-shooting_n_5052370.html
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