The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) revealed information regarding an officer-involved shooting last month.
The shooting near the Foothills area of the city resulted in one fatality, according to KRQE. Julian Sanchez, 21, was shot by Officer Nicholas Steward on Nov. 5. This occurred after Steward and his partner responded to reports of a car crashing into a center median on Tramway Road near Menaul Boulevard.
APD officials spoke about the event during a recent press conference, KRQE reported. They said the two officers were trying to get Sanchez out of the car when Steward’s partner said he saw a gun. Steward then told Sanchez to put the gun down. Steward said he thought he heard Sanchez shoot his weapon. Then, Steward reportedly shot Sanchez several times. Sanchez died at the scene.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m., according to KRQE. Sanchez and his passenger were reportedly drinking and gambling at Sandia Resort and Casino prior to the crash. Police found a gun in the car but said initial testing showed the weapon was not fired during the incident. The case is being examined by the Force Review Board.
APD Chief Harold Medina said the department will take recommendations from the board regarding how officers can better deal with similar situations.
"Our next step is looking to see how we could look at situations and react differently to the situation and remove the factor, a little bit of the fact that the individual is armed," Medina said.
Medina said the investigation is still ongoing, KRQE reported. Whether Steward violated department policies has not yet been determined. Steward, who has been with APD since 2020, has not returned to work.