ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Albuquerque police released new details on two deadly shootings that involved Albuquerque Police in late May. The shootings were part of four officer-involved shootings in ten days.
The shooting of Jose Armas
On May 26th, a 911 call was made, asking for a welfare check on 23-year-old Jose Armas, after he told his friend he wanted to take his own life.
“I wanted to see if a friend of mine could get a welfare check, they are, were, talking about hurting themselves,” said the friend in the 911 call.
Police said officers found Armas’ brother at the scene trying to help, before officers learned Armas had a gun and moved family members away from the door.
Police said officers tried to de-escalate for about 45 minutes before Armas went back inside and started shooting toward them from an upstairs window.
Police said Armas later walked out of the home and fired his gun into the air. Two officers then shot back, hitting Armas in the chest and arm. Armas died at the scene.
The shooting of Robert Salas
Albuquerque police also released details about the shooting of 35-year-old Robert Salas, who they said ran toward officers with a knife in a parking lot near Central Avenue and San Mateo Boulevard.
On May 29th, officers were responding to a no trespassing call at the Castle Mega Store. Investigators said Salas was among several people trespassing before he ran to an empty Walgreens across the street.
Police said an officer first drew his Taser, but Salas ignored commands and ran toward another officer before both officers opened fire.
Police said officers shot Salas three times, once in the head and once in each leg. He died at the scene.
