NM continues to investigate fatal shooting of teen in Otero County

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) — The State of New Mexico continues to investigate an officer-involved shooting in Otero County from earlier this summer where a teenager was shot and killed after allegedly pointing an airsoft gun at a Sheriff’s deputy, the New Mexico Department of Public Safety said in an update issued on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau has completed and submitted a case file to the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Alamogordo about the case, NMDPS said.

The case has also been assigned to the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Bernalillo County for further review, NMPS said.

NMDPS did not mention teenager Elijah Hadley by name during their update sent out to media but did confirm to KTSM that this is the case they are referring to.

On June 25, an Otero County Sheriff’s Office deputy was conducting a welfare check on a person walking along U.S. Highway 70 near mile marker 240.

According to an initial release sent out by NM State Police at the time, a 17-year-old — later identified as Elijah Hadley — was holding an airsoft gun and pointed it at the deputy, who then fired “at least” one round from his duty weapon. Hadley was pronounced dead at the scene.

NM Public Safety Secretary Jason R. Bowie, along with NM State Police command staff and a representative from the Governor’s Office, met with Mescalero Apache leaders on Aug. 15 to update them on the case, according to the news release sent out by NMDPS.

“We are committed to delivering an accurate account of the events and it is our priority to ensure a comprehensive and unbiased investigation,” Bowie said. “Open communication with tribal leadership and the family members are essential for building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships between the police and the communities they serve.”

“Our goal is to ensure the community has confidence in the process,” said NMSP Chief W. Troy Weisler. “We ask the community to be patient as we work through the process.”

Key aspects of the investigation require additional analysis and are still pending from the Department of Public Safety Laboratory and the Office of the Medical Investigator, NMDPS said.

“This involves the collection of evidence, conducting interviews, and sharing investigative findings with the district attorney for review. NMSP acts solely as a factfinder in such incidents and does not determine whether an officer’s actions were justified; that decision is the responsibility of the District Attorney’s Office,” NMDPS said.

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