LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story presented body camera footage at a news conference today, detailing an officer-involved shooting that injured 19-year-old Gabriel Padilla last week. The incident occurred last Thursday shortly after 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Peter Piper Pizza on Main Street.
Police responded to reports of an armed individual after a security guard called 911, having heard at least two shots fired. “The caller advised that the subject had a gun and was running towards Main Street with a gun in his hand. He wasn’t sure exactly who he was pointing it at. And that he believed he fired it twice,” said Chief Story.
The footage shows the officer spotting Padilla several blocks away and attempting to stop him. Despite commands to halt, Padilla and another man continued walking away, eventually breaking into a run, leading to a pursuit. Surveillance footage revealed a gun in Padilla’s hand, and the shooting occurred immediately after the weapon became visible, according to Chief Story.
“The suspect falls to the ground and a firearm is also seen in his hand right when he falls to the ground. The firearm is then kicked away by the officers, while the suspect’s then taken into custody and, of course, medical aid is rendered,” said Story.
Padilla was taken to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition after being shot in the lower back. He faces charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer, negligent use of a deadly weapon, and resisting arrest, with an additional concealed carry charge pending investigation. “I don’t believe he had a valid concealed carry license. The negligent use would cover potentially the discharge that happened at Peter Piper. You could also add the unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon if it’s concealed,” said Story.
The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure. “So the officer’s place on paid administrative leave, which is standard by policy. The process is the Officer Involved Incident Task Force is called. They gather all the information and then they present it to the district attorney’s office for them to render an opinion,” said Story.
Padilla will be booked at the Doña Ana County Detention Center following his release from the hospital. The investigation is ongoing, and more information is expected to be released.
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