El Paso Times
LAS CRUCES, Texas — Anthony Medrano, 22, of Las Cruces, was identified Monday by Las Cruces police as the man who was shot and killed Sunday by police at his residence.
Medrano died around 4:30 p.m. Sunday after officers gave him numerous verbal commands to drop a knife and a bat he was allegedly carrying, according to police. Officers went to Medrano’s house, in the 3000 block of Petunia Lane, to investigate a report of a domestic disturbance.
According to police reports, Medrano allegedly refused to comply with police and continued to close the distance between himself and officers. Ultimately, police fired their weapons to defend themselves.
Medrano’s family could not be reached for comment Monday. Police declined to release contact information for the family, citing protection of their privacy.
Two city police officers who were involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave by Las Cruces police - which is standard operating procedure - while an independent, multi-law enforcement agency investigation continues. Las Cruces police Sgt. Kiri Daines, a department spokeswoman, said the names of the officers have not been released.
“The investigators haven’t finished their interviews,” Daines said. “Once those have been completed, the names of the officers who were involved will be released.”
Chris Chapman, a neighbor, said she heard four shots fired, but did not see the shooting. Medrano lived at the house with his parents and two young children, Chapman said.
“We heard police cars driving around the corner, and then several more, and then several more. There were at least 10 that flew around the corner,” Chapman said.
She added the extreme measures startled her and other neighbors.
“We’re all wondering why police couldn’t have tased him or shot the bat out of his hand,” Chapman said.
Daines said, “The officers were confronted and obviously felt that the threat to themselves justified the use of deadly force.”
Gary Chapman, Chris Chapman’s husband, said the shooting was a stark aberration for the typically quiet, west Las Cruces neighborhood.
“It’s a rarity to have a problem in this neighborhood,” Gary Chapman said.
Chapman’s daughter, Bonnie Chapman, said she was saddened that the confrontation between Medrano and police escalated to a tragic outcome.
“He was a classic example of the phrase, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover,’” Bonnie Chapman said. “He had a rough exterior, he had some tattoos, but he was such a kind person.”
Copyright 2010 El Paso Times