By Jeff Procter
Albuquerque Journal
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Veteran Rio Rancho Police officer Charles Weaver fatally shot Keith Strickland on Sunday after Strickland threatened the officer with a shotgun, police said.
Weaver was responding to a domestic dispute between Strickland, 31, and his estranged wife at her home on the 2200 block of Greenlake SE, according to Rio Rancho police spokesman John Francis.
He said Weaver, who has been on the force 24 years, and officer Melinda Rossi, who has been on the force for a year and a half, are on standard administrative leave while a multiagency team investigates the shooting.
It wasn’t the first time Weaver had encountered Strickland in front of the Greenlake residence, Francis said.
On Nov. 28, Weaver saw a black Chevy Suburban driving through western Rio Rancho shortly after 11 p.m., Francis said.
A records check showed the Suburban had been stolen, so Weaver tried to pull it over.
The driver, Strickland, wouldn’t stop.
Strickland finally pulled up in front of the Greenlake home but fled on foot, Francis said. Weaver used a Taser to try to stop him, but Strickland’s thick, heavy coat thwarted the device.
Strickland did drop his wallet during the encounter, he said.
Warrants were issued for his arrest on charges of receiving stolen property, driving on a suspended license, eluding a police officer, careless driving and having an open alcohol container in the vehicle.
Weaver and Rossi were aware of the warrants when they arrived at the Greenlake residence on Sunday, Francis said.
Strickland’s estranged wife had sent a text message to a family member saying Strickland was at the house and was “out of control,” Francis said. The family member called police.
Weaver fired an undetermined number of shots after Strickland threatened him and Rossi with a 12-gauge shotgun.
Rossi did not fire any shots.
Copyright 2009 Albuquerque Journal