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

[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.)