Thursday, March 22, 2012
2nd Albuquerque police shooting sparks probe calls
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Activists in Albuquerque are renewing their request for a federal probe after police shot and killed a second person within three days.
State police say Officer Russell Carter shot and killed 45-year-old Gary Atencio on Wednesday after a chase that began after Atencio pulled his car over on a west Albuquerque street and began shooting at his wife.
Carter is a veteran of the Albuquerque Police Department and an active member of its tactical team.
Police Chief Ray Schultz says Carter has been involved in prior shootings but did not say how many or if any were fatal.
The fatal shooting of Atencio is the third by Albuquerque police this year and the 18th since 2010.
On Monday, another Albuquerque officer fatally shot a 31-year-old man after he rammed his car into the officer’s vehicle.