Ex-Las Cruces Police officer found guilty of voluntary manslaughter for shooting, killing man

[Judi Lynn]

by: Luisa Barrios

Posted: Feb 12, 2025 / 05:20 PM MST
Updated: Feb 12, 2025 / 05:20 PM MST

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KTSM) – Former Las Cruces Police officer Brad Lunsford was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter on Wednesday, Feb. 12, for shooting and killing Presley Eze at a gas station in 2022, the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) said in a news release.

“Today’s verdict reaffirms a fundamental principle: no one is above the law—not even those sworn to uphold it. Officer Lunsford’s actions were not just a tragic lapse in judgment; they were an egregious abuse of power that cost Presley Eze his life,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “The jury’s swift decision underscores the gravity of this case and sends a clear message that excessive force will not be tolerated in New Mexico. Our office will continue to hold law enforcement officers accountable when they violate the public trust and betray the communities they are meant to protect.”

As we previously reported, in August 2022 Lunsford began questioning Eze after he allegedly stole a beer and was unable to verify his identity.

. . .

Attorney General’s Office consulted with use-of-force experts who, upon reviewing the available footage, concluded that Lunsford’s use of deadly force was not reasonable under the circumstances and that other, less lethal options could have been used to subdue Eze, NMDOJ said.

NMDOJ said the trial lasted eight days with the jury only deliberating for two and a half hours before reaching their verdict.

More:
https://www.krqe.com/news/crime/ex-las-cruces-police-officer-found-guilty-of-voluntary-manslaughter-for-shooting-killing-man/



officer Brad Lunsford

[Judi Lynn]

1. New Mexico AG charges a police officer in the killing of a Black man at a gas station last year Las Cruces Officer Brad

New Mexico AG charges a police officer in the killing of a Black man at a gas station last year

Las Cruces Officer Brad Lunsford allegedly shot Presley Eze after a gas station attendant called 911 to report that Eze had left without paying for a beer.

Oct. 5, 2023, 10:38 AM CDT
By Daniel Arkin

New Mexico's top law enforcement official announced this week that a police officer has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the killing of a Black man at a gas station last summer. Las Cruces Officer Brad Lunsford was booked Tuesday, but officials did not detain him, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez told reporters at a news conference.

Lunsford allegedly shot Presley Eze at a Chevron gas station on the afternoon of Aug. 2, 2022 after an employee called 911 to report that Eze had left the store without paying for a beer, according to the attorney general's office.

. . .

Eze, who was unarmed and shirtless, allegedly resisted attempts to take him into custody. The attorney general's office said a "scuffle ensued," with Eze ending up on the ground, on top of one of the officers who responded.

Eze put his hand on the second officer's taser and, in response, Lunsford pulled out his gun and shot Eze on the left side of his head at point-blank range, according to the news release.

. . .

Eze was the oldest son of Nigerian immigrants who lived in Connecticut, according to a family spokesman who spoke at the attorney general's news conference Tuesday. He worked at a nursing home in Las Cruces, the spokesman said.

More:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-mexico-attorney-general-charges-police-officer-killing-black-man-g-rcna119004

(Video at link.)

[Silent Type]

2. Nazi looking killer.