Albuquerque police shoot knife-wielding man who attacked 'Samaritan'

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/23/albuquerque-police-shoot-knife-man-samaritan

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Albuquerque police shot and killed a man who slashed a good Samaritan's throat late on Thursday, police announced at a briefing.

It was the third fatal shooting by the Albuquerque Police Department since the US Justice Department released a scathing review of the agency's use of force. It was the 40th such shooting since 2010.

In recent weeks, critics have stepped up the pressure on Albuquerque police by holding street protests and crowding city council meetings to demand immediate reform.

On Friday, deputy police chief William Roseman told reporters the knife-wielding man was attacking a woman when another person stepped in to help and was stabbed.

"Officers attempted to talk to the offender and tried to have him drop the knife," Roseman said. "As officers tried to de-escalate the situation, the male offender began to advance on the officers."

Roseman said two officers shot and killed the man after he continued to move toward police.

The name of the suspect was not released. Officials have not released the names of the officers who fired their weapons. In addition, police did not say how many times the man was shot nor if lapel-camera footage of the shooting was available.

Roseman said the injured person who intervened was in critical condition, while the woman who was first attacked had been treated and released.

The Justice Department report also faulted Albuquerque police for officers' interaction with suspects who have mental illness and how the police Swat team resolved conflicts.

The city has entered negotiations over reforms but it could take months before the two sides outline an agreement.

Earlier this month, angry demonstrators took over the regularly scheduled city council meeting, chanting for the ouster of the Albuquerque police chief Gorden Eden, shouting at council members and causing so much disruption that the panel's president adjourned the meeting.

Protesters tried to serve a "people's arrest warrant" on Eden and then held a mock council meeting in the chambers.

Demonstrators were removed from the next meeting by police when some approached the podium and refused to speak, to protest new council rule changes on speech.

This week, councilors approved a measure that would require that future police chiefs be confirmed by the council. The measure now goes before city voters in a referendum.

Critics say they are planning a June protest march.