ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – The Albuquerque Police Department released additional information Tuesday about a deadly officer‑involved shooting that followed a lengthy SWAT standoff near Interstate 40 earlier this year.
Police say the incident began on Tuesday, February 3, when officers received a report of a vehicle driving dangerously on I‑40 near Eubank Boulevard. According to APD, the vehicle sideswiped another car before the driver, later identified as 51‑year‑old Roman Kirby, exited the vehicle and moved into an arroyo near Eubank while armed with a gun.
APD said officers established a perimeter and a SWAT response was initiated, leading to a standoff that lasted approximately six hours. During that time, police used a drone to monitor Kirby’s movements. Investigators say Kirby fired a weapon at the drone.
Chief Cecily Interim Police Barker said crisis negotiators made extensive efforts to communicate with Kirby throughout the standoff.
“During this time, our crisis negotiations team attempted 99 phone calls to this person,” Barker said. “They were able to communicate with him for about 29 minutes. During their communication with him, he did not heed any of their commands or pleas to put down his weapon.”
According to APD, officers attempted less‑than‑lethal options during the standoff, but those efforts were unsuccessful. Police say Deputy Commander Eric Brown later fired his weapon, striking and killing Kirby.
An autopsy later revealed Kirby had methamphetamine in his system. APD said investigators found a baggie of the drug that Kirby had ingested prior to the shooting.
During the news conference, APD Commander Bernard stated that had Kirby survived, he would have faced multiple charges, including aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, negligent use of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, and leaving the scene of an accident.
The shooting remains under investigation by a multi‑agency task force, which will review the actions taken during the incident. APD said the findings will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office once the investigation is complete.
