LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX) — A New Mexico police department called a news conference Friday morning to share video of a tragic incident involving one of their own.
Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story released body camera video and security footage from the Feb. 11 stabbing that took the life of Officer Jonah Hernandez.
Story told the room he would have rather not released the graphic video.
I want to say on the record as an officer not just did nothing wrong. It could have happened to any of us including me," Story said. "I were not required to release them on the inspection of public records I would not.Although the full unedited version was shown at the press conference below is the edited video:
WARNING: The video may be disturbing to some viewers.
Hernandez was dispatched to the intersection of Valley Drive and Road for a trespassing call.
In the video, you can see Officer Hernandez walking up to Armando Silva who is standing underneath a shed on the property.
While Hernandez walks up to him, Hernandez says “How is it going boss?”
Hernandez then asks Silva “Have you been staying here for a while?”
Silva then says “This is my place.”
Hernandez then says “This is your place?” “So you're the one who called?”
During the conversation, Silva pulled out a knife and approached Hernandez.
As Hernandez turned to avoid Silva, he tripped.
Silva then jumped on top of Hernandez and stabbed him several times.
About 15 seconds later a witness, who police identified as Issiah Astorga intervened.
Silva then advances towards Astorga.
Astorga fired four rounds at Silva and told him to drop his weapon.
Astorga then ran over to help Hernandez.
“Stay with us, man. You're gonna be okay. I got you,” Astorga said.
Story also spoke about a path toward a safer community at the press conference.
Chief Story also introduced a summary of changes that can be made to help make Las Cruces a safer community.
The three short-term goals include:
- Fill open positions within LCPD. The department has a capacity of 220 commissioned law enforcement officers, but currently has 25 vacancies.
- Replace constitutionally problematic ordinances with ordinances that are enforceable in their entirety, ordinances that would give officers tools to address the issues businesses and residents are facing.
- Establish a Real-Time Crime Center within LCPD. A RTCC would prevent crime from occurring, help solve and prosecute crime and help increase officer safety.
The three long-term goals include:
- Address competency issues. Too many criminal cases are being dismissed in Municipal Court, Magistrate Court and District Court.
- Address Bail Reform. The 2016 constitutional amendment has been ineffective at protecting New Mexicans.
- Address the fentanyl and meth crisis. Many of the increases in crime over the last few years are directly related to the increase usage of fentanyl and meth.
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