Albuquerque Police: Two Fatal Shootings in 10 Days

Albuquerque police have released details regarding two officer-involved shootings that occurred in May, resulting in two deaths. The first incident, on May 26, involved Jose Armas, 23, who was fatally shot after firing at officers during a mental health crisis call. His family attempted to de-escalate the situation, but Armas ultimately fired shots, leading to the police response. Three days later, on May 29, Robert Salas, 35, was killed during a loitering incident. Officers observed Salas fleeing and then lunging at an officer with a knife. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, Salas advanced, prompting officers to open fire. These two events are part of a larger trend, with Albuquerque police having shot six individuals this year, four of whom died. Police leadership acknowledged the community's attention to these incidents and highlighted the complexities officers face when dealing with armed individuals.