Apr. 14—Julian Garcia might not have recognized the person who shot his uncle within the face.
However he killed him anyway, police stated at a information convention Monday, then posted a video on-line suggesting he was able to proceed a spiral of violence that had already taken the lives of two folks.
As a substitute, police shot him first.
Albuquerque Police Division officers on Monday detailed a police taking pictures from March that began with a double homicide investigation relationship to September 2024. It was the fifth police taking pictures of the 12 months.
Garcia, 19, stays hospitalized after he was shot by an unidentified officer and member of APD’s Investigative Assist Unit, or ISU. Garcia had a gun when ISU officers tried to arrest him close to an Unser Boulevard and Sage Highway neighborhood however didn’t fireplace it.
“And as soon as once more, that is our ISU unit,” APD Chief Harold Medina stated throughout the information convention. “You already know, at occasions, there are questions as to why (ISU) has been concerned in just a few current officer-involved shootings. I feel it is necessary to acknowledge they do chase the worst of the worst.”
Medina didn’t establish the officer who shot Garcia however stated he had been concerned in 5 prior police shootings. The character of these incidents was not offered.
“That is commonplace apply for us when a few of our detectives are out locally doing undercover work in order that they don’t seem to be acknowledged,” Medina stated.
The officer, who was employed in 2007, has returned to obligation.
Earlier than the Unser taking pictures, police imagine that Eziekel Brown approached Garcia and his uncle, James Garcia, close to the 300 block of Grove Road in September 2024.
“He walked as much as James Garcia, mumbled one thing alongside the strains of, ‘do you bear in mind me,’ pulled out a gun, and shot James Garcia, finally resulting in his loss of life,” stated APD Commander Kyle Hartsock throughout the information convention. “Proper subsequent to James Garcia was his nephew.”
Hartsock stated Garcia then shot Brown, rendering him incapacitated however alive.
“As bystanders got here as much as attempt to assist Mr. Brown, who was shot and wounded, Julian Garcia walked up and fired no less than three extra rounds into Ezekiel Brown, killing him on the spot,” Hartsock stated. “A homicide warrant was issued in February.”
Someday after, Garcia posted a brief video to social media. In it, he says that he does not need assistance. He “wants extra our bodies” whereas waving a handgun with a laser pointer on the digital camera.
Police finally situated him and determined to ambush him alongside Unser throughout the daytime.
“Detectives decided this may be the most secure place to attempt to apprehend Julian. They had been not sure if he was armed, however he was strolling alone on the time,” Hartsock stated.
The physique digital camera video shared with the Journal reveals the ISU workforce driving as much as Garcia and strolling alongside Unser earlier than bursting out of the car. The officers shout, “Police fingers up” as they chase Garcia by means of an empty discipline.
“He is bought a gun,” one officer shouts.
As Garcia will get just a few ft from the wall, one officer fires a semi-automatic rifle a number of occasions, hanging Garcia. The officers proceed to strategy, strolling now, and fireplace a 40 mm less-lethal spherical at Garcia.
Garcia is then handcuffed whereas his garments are reduce off because the officer examines his wounds and renders assist. Hartsock stated he was unaware of Garcia’s present situation however stated he remained in intensive care.
Hartsock stated Garcia might be charged with an open rely or homicide as soon as he’s launched from the hospital.