Teresa Gomez, 45, Shot Dead by New Mexico Police Officer After Attempting to Flee

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Grandmother from New Mexico Shot Dead by Police Officer During Traffic Stop

A tragic incident unfolded in Los Cruces, New Mexico, as a grandmother was shot and killed by a police officer during a routine traffic stop. Teresa Gomez, 45, lost her life after Officer Felipe Hernandez fired upon her as she attempted to speed away in her car. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning on October 3rd, just before 5am.

The encounter began when Officer Hernandez approached Gomez’s parked car at a housing complex. He had recognized her companion, Julio Garcia, from previous encounters and was aware that Garcia had been barred from the premises. Officer Hernandez accused Garcia of trespassing and violating a judge’s order, leading to a confrontation.

In the nine minutes of bodycam footage that emerged, Officer Hernandez can be heard using aggressive language, including profanities, as he interrogated Gomez about her presence at the housing complex. He threatened to ‘tase’ her and make her life ‘a living hell’ if she did not comply with his investigation. Gomez remained calm throughout the exchange and explained that she was searching for her lost car keys and looking for someone at the location. She claimed to be unaware of any specific visitor rules.

Despite finding her car keys and receiving permission from the officer, Gomez’s life took a tragic turn. As she returned to the driver’s seat with her car door still open, she started the engine and backed out of her parking spot. Officer Hernandez repeatedly shouted for her to stop before opening fire three times, hitting Gomez at least once.

Gomez began bleeding from her neck and struggled to breathe. She was rushed to the hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries. Her grieving family has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging excessive force and a violation of her civil rights.

The family is struggling to comprehend how a seemingly straightforward encounter escalated to such a fatal outcome. They were shocked by the officer’s aggressive behavior towards Gomez and believed the situation was close to being resolved peacefully. Gomez’s son, Johny Gomez, expressed his pain, saying, “It’s hard to see someone, a grown man, talk to your mom like that.” Angela Lozano-Gutierrez, Gomez’s sister, added, “It seemed like it was getting to the part where they were just going to let her go. And so, it was just shocking that it ended with her dying.”

Photos shared on social media depict Gomez as a kind and caring grandmother, adding to the tragedy of her untimely death. The Las Cruces Police Department has come under scrutiny for their handling of the incident. Officer Hernandez, an eight-year veteran of the force, has been involved in several use-of-force incidents prior to this incident. He is currently on paid administrative leave while investigations are ongoing.

Attorney Shannon Kennedy, representing Gomez’s family, criticized the lack of internal oversight and supervision within the Las Cruces Police Department, stating, “The Las Cruces Police Department’s lack of internal oversight and supervision has allowed a culture of aggression to develop, promoting an acceptance of unlawful use of deadly force.” Las Cruces Interim Police Chief Jeremy Story acknowledged the concern surrounding the incident and assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted.

As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of Teresa Gomez and demands answers regarding the circumstances that led to her tragic death..