Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) – A 26-year old man was shot during a struggle with a State Police officer and died later at the hospital. The man also fired a gun during the struggle following a foot pursuit just after noon on Saturday.
According to police, the encounter began when the officer saw two men jaywalking on Cochiti Road near the intersection of California Street. He left his patrol car and told the men they were being detained. One of the men, later identified as Izaeah Elajah-Amar Washington, 26, began walking away. The officer ordered him to stop, but Washington refused and began running from the location.
The officer chased Washington on foot in an effort to detain him. When he caught up to Washington, a physical struggle ensued and they fell to the ground. During the altercation, Washington pulled out a handgun and fired at least one round, missing the officer. The officer discharged his department-issued-firearm at Washington, striking him at least once.
Emergency medical personnel arrived rendering aid, and transported Washington to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigators determined the gun in Washington’s possession was determined to be stolen.
The officer was not injured and has been placed on administrative leave. His name has not been released.
This case remains under investigation by the NMSP Investigations Bureau and the Multi-Agency Task Force which includes the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and the Albuquerque Police Department.
