ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Protests erupted Friday night in Albuquerque over the fatal police shooting of a cuffed suspect who had a gun last weekend. Family and friends gathered at Robinson Park and marched to Albuquerque Police Department headquarters to express their grief over the death of Matthew “Solo” Garcia and their frustration with the police […]
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Protests erupted Friday night in Albuquerque over the fatal police shooting of a cuffed suspect who had a gun last weekend. Family and friends gathered at Robinson Park and marched to Albuquerque Police Department headquarters to express their grief over the death of Matthew “Solo” Garcia and their frustration with the police department.
APD arrested Garcia outside of the Tewa Lodge last Friday when they were trying to clean up the area following complaints from the owner that there was rampant drug use and crime near his property. Officers failed to fully search Garcia before handcuffing him and placing him in the back of a police cruiser. The department said police fatally shot Garcia after a confrontation broke out when they saw him reaching for his gun.
Protesters at APD headquarters were angry and said it never should have happened and the cops responsible should be punished. KRQE News 13 spoke to his parents who are trying to cope with the tragedy. “I just don’t understand how these cops can live with themselves by what they do. You know it is hard to see him in a cop car and it says protect serve. They are not serving and protecting. They are out there shooting and killing and it is not right,” said Fred Garcia, Matthew Garcia’s father.
On Sunday, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina acknowledged the public’s anger and stressed the department has released some of the body camera footage of the shooting. “They have the right to protest. I want to make sure all of Albuquerque knows because if individuals still choose to come out and the protest, I’ve seen is release more information and video and we are doing exactly what we are asked,” said Chief Medina.
There were over 40 people Friday night at the protest. APD said they will release more footage of the incident further into its investigation.