Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Elijah Hadley
Gender : Male
Age : 17
Race : Native American
Date : 06/25/2024
Location : U.S. Highway 70 near mile marker 240
City : Otero County
County : Otero
State : New Mexico
Agency : Otero County Sheriff's Office
Officer(s) :Deputy Jacob Diaz-Austin
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police when seen walking on road with airsoft gun replica
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On June 25, 2024, Otero County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Diaz-Austin responded to a welfare check regarding a male subject walking on the median of U.S. Highway 70 near mile marker 240. The individual, identified as 17-year-old Elijah Hadley, was carrying an object that appeared to be a firearm, later determined to be an airsoft pistol. Body camera footage reveals that upon the deputy's arrival, Hadley discarded the airsoft pistol. Despite this, Deputy Diaz-Austin fired multiple shots, striking Hadley.
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On January 13, 2025, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman filed first and second-degree murder charges against Deputy Jacob Diaz-Austin for the shooting death of Elijah Hadley. Following the filing of charges, the Otero County Sheriff's Office placed Deputy Diaz-Austin on administrative leave.
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The Hadley family expressed that the decision to charge Deputy Diaz-Austin is a step toward justice, emphasizing that Elijah was a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew, friend, student, artist, and a good person. They demand accountability and will not stop until justice is served.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.ktsm.com/news/teen-holding-airsoft-gun-dead-in-officer-involved-shooting/
https://ladailypost.com/nmsp-investigates-officer-involved-shooting-in-otero-county/
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/nmsp-otero-county-deputy-shoots-and-kills-teen-with-gun/
https://www.yahoo.com/news/teen-holding-airsoft-gun-dead-181208237.html
https://patch.com/new-hampshire/concord-nh/man-gun-dies-after-officer-involved-shooting-pm-patch-nh
