Helmet Cam Captures Fatal Shooting

Albuquerque, NM - The Albuquerque Police Department released the helmetcam footage of last Sunday's officer-involved shooting of a homeless man armed with two knives. James Boyd, 38, was homeless and illegally camping in the foothills on March 16 when APD officers contacted him. Boyd argued with police for several hours before they deployed less-than-lethal tactics, including a flash bang and K-9. After he pulled out two knives, several officers opened fire, KRQE reports. Boyd began the interaction with police by issuing vague threats and refusing to cooperate because he was a government agent. "I'm almost going to kill you right now. Don't give me another directive. Don't attempt to give me, the Department of Defense, another directive." As police continued trying to gain compliance by issuing verbal commands they discovered Boyd had a violent 20-year criminal history, including multiple incidents of assault against a police officer. When Boyd finally picked up his bags and turned to walk away, officers used an assortment of less-than-lethal options to stop him. They deployed a flash bang, Taser, bean bag rounds, and a K-9, but none of those worked. Boyd pulled out two knives and that's when officers Dominique Perez and Keith Sandy each fired three shots from their rifles, fatally striking Boyd. New Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden declared during a news conference the shoot was justified, articulating in part how that decision was reached. "Actually, if you watch the video tape, all the less-than-lethal devices were in fact deployed. 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 was handling the dog," Chief Eden said.