Members of an Albuquerque police oversight committee are holding a news conference on Tuesday, demanding an investigation takes place into the fatal police shooting on a homeless man, the Associated Press reported.
Last Sunday, 38-year-old James Boyd was shot dead by police officers in the Sandia Foothills after they approached him about staying in an unauthorized area.
Though Boyd engaged in a three-hour standoff with police, he eventually agreed to leave the area. A police camera shows the homeless man turned around to pack his belongings, only to be shot at multiple times by officers immediately after.
Boyd was pronounced dead several hours later.
The shooting erupted in a controversy with many people calling Boyd's death murder. However, the Albuquerque Police Department defended the officers, claiming they acted in self-defense as Boyd was allegedly preparing to pull knives from his bag.
"If you watch the video tape, all the less-than-lethal devices were in fact deployed," APD Chief Gordon Eden told News 13.
During a press conference on Friday, Eden reiterated his stance.
"It was when the canine officer was down directing the canine dog that the suspect pulled out the two knives and directed a threat to the canine officer who had no weapons drawn," he said.
According to the AP, the shooting is being investigated by five outside agencies. Additionally, Mayor Richard Berry announced on Monday that he asked La Cruces Police to join the investigation as well.
