Rio Rancho Police released details Tuesday about an Española man who police shot on Jan. 11 and was subsequently hospitalized and arrested.
According to a press release from the Rio Rancho Police Department, an unnamed officer shot Audelio Lopez once in the chest as “he was using his body stance and hands to mimic the presence of a firearm.”
No gun was recovered from Lopez.
According to the press release, the officer’s body camera “did not activate during the event.” A neighbor recorded the shooting on video and the Rio Rancho Police Department said the body camera issue “will be researched as part of the investigation.”
RRPD responded to a domestic violence call that day after someone reported a male, later identified by police as Lopez, was “striking a woman and pulling her hair.”
Lopez, who police say had an active felony warrant for his arrest, fled the scene on foot before an officer found him near Enchanted Hills.
“It appears Audelio immediately shouted he had a gun, so the officer quickly took cover behind his patrol vehicle,” RRPD said in the release. “Witness accounts indicate Audelio was intentionally hiding himself behind a large bush, taking a stance consistent with shooting a gun, and pointing what appeared to be a gun in the direction of the officer. As a result, the officer fired one shot striking Audelio in the chest.”
Lopez was taken to the hospital and police say he is expected to survive.
Lopez will be booked into the Sandoval County Detention Center for the warrant and new charges stemming from the latest confrontation with police.
RRPD said the unnamed officer is on standard paid administrative leave.