The release of a video showing the shooting of an Albuquerque middle school student in August has family members of the victim asking more questions about how and why the fatal tragedy occurred.
Albuquerque Public Schools released footage of 13-year-old Juan Saucedo holding a gun and pointing it at Bennie Hargrove, 13, as Hargrove lay on the ground after being shot by Saucedo at Washington Middle School three days into the school year.
Albuquerque police have said Hargrove had come to the aid of his friends, KRQE reported in August, who were being bullied by Saucedo. The video was taken from a camera in the lapel of a school resource officer, who responded to the scene and handcuffed Saucedo to a fence until other law enforcement officers arrived.
Hargrove family members continue to mourn their loss and said watching the video raises questions as to why the tragedy occurred. The Law Office of Adam Oakey issued a statement on behalf of the Hargrove family vowing to seek justice.
“We now know that this confrontation and murder of Bennie Hargrove was stoppable by Washington Middle School and APS because the Bully was tormenting these same children and Bennie the day before on school grounds and during school hours,” the statement said. “Under APS’ policies and procedures, the Bully should have already been suspended from school on the day Bennie was murdered. Further, Washington Middle School and APS staff watched the confrontation between Bennie, the young children, and the Bully occur without any intervention as required by their policies.”
The statement goes on to say, “The blood of Bennie is on the hands of the Saucedo family, Washington Middle School, and APS for their failures which allowed this dangerous situation to occur.”
On the day of the Aug. 13 shooting, schools superintendent Scott Elder sent a letter to parents commending the efforts of school staff and law enforcement officials.
“This was an isolated incident that occurred outside the school building during lunch,” Elder wrote. “No other students or staff were physically harmed, but many of us are hurting. I want to thank our courageous school staff who rushed our students to safety. I want to commend students who bravely followed directions, helping to keep the situation under control. I appreciate our families who came to the school to take their children home safely. And I want to thank all of the APS and APD police officers who rushed to our campus to assure the safety of our students and staff, especially our own school resource officer, who immediately deescalated the situation and kept everyone else from harm.”
APS was compelled to release the video to comply with the Inspection of Public Records Act. Nearly all media outlets elected not to show the entire video. Elder issued a letter warning parents about the potential impact of having their children view the video.
“APS doesn’t have a say in how the video is used, what images are shared with the public, how often the video airs, or what is posted,” Elder said. “In anticipation of the release of this disturbing video, we respectfully ask that you consider how watching it may impact your child and family.”
Saucedo remains in a juvenile detention center charged with murder, conspiracy, and unlawful carrying of a weapon on school premises. He will be tried in children’s court.
