Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Louis Nathan Leyba
Age : 38
Gender : Male
Race : White
Date : 06/08/2021
Location : N. Riverside Drive and CII Ranchitos
City : Española
County : Rio Arriba
State : New Mexico
Agency : Española Police Department
Officer(s) :Derrick Valdez; Anthony Martinez
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during welfare check
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 06/08/2021, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Española police officers responded to a welfare check involving a vehicle parked at Ranchitos Park near North Riverside Drive and CII Ranchitos. Officers made contact with a man and a woman outside the vehicle. The man, identified as Louis Nathan Leyba, entered the driver’s seat while the woman entered the passenger seat. As Officer Derrick Valdez attempted to speak with the woman, Leyba began driving the vehicle in reverse. Officer Valdez became caught between the open door and the vehicle as it moved, and his feet dragged along the pavement. Officer Valdez ordered Leyba to stop. Leyba continued driving. Officer Valdez fired his weapon, and Officer Anthony Martinez also fired. Leyba was struck and died from his injuries. The shooting was placed under investigation. No officers were charged.
SOURCE LINKS :
https://www.krwg.org/post/update-shooting-death-involving-espanola-police-department
