Police: Suspect did not point gun, but officer felt threatened

Newly released police lapel video shows a tense situation where a police officer shot an armed robbery suspect in October 2013.CLICK HERE to see the lapel videoAlbuquerque police Officer Brian Pitzer pointed his gun at suspect Joaquin Ortega on Oct. 29. Authorities just received reports that Ortega was armed with a gun. They said he tried to carjack someone, robbed a grandmother and her grandson at a bus stop and then tried to carjack another person.Before that, police said Ortega took pills and alcohol and drove through his neighborhood running people off the road, and firing shots into the air."Let me see your hands, bro," Pizter shouted.The officer ran after the suspect, repeatedly telling Ortega to show his hands. Instead, then-Interim Albuquerque Police Chief Allen Banks said Ortega told his officer, "Hell no."That was the moment when investigators said Pitzer feared for his own life. He fired eight shots at Ortega. Police said Ortega did not point a gun at Pitzer, but he threw it.The video captured Ortega throwing the gun moments before Pitzer pulled the trigger.APD's top brass said Pitzer did what he had to do to protect himself and the community.Pitzer has been involved in a number of "use of force" incidents. He is still with APD.Ortega faces a number of charges, including aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon.

Newly released police lapel video shows a tense situation where a police officer shot an armed robbery suspect in October 2013.

CLICK HERE to see the lapel video


Albuquerque police Officer Brian Pitzer pointed his gun at suspect Joaquin Ortega on Oct. 29. Authorities just received reports that Ortega was armed with a gun. They said he tried to carjack someone, robbed a grandmother and her grandson at a bus stop and then tried to carjack another person.

Before that, police said Ortega took pills and alcohol and drove through his neighborhood running people off the road, and firing shots into the air.

"Let me see your hands, bro," Pizter shouted.

The officer ran after the suspect, repeatedly telling Ortega to show his hands. Instead, then-Interim Albuquerque Police Chief Allen Banks said Ortega told his officer, "Hell no."

That was the moment when investigators said Pitzer feared for his own life. He fired eight shots at Ortega. Police said Ortega did not point a gun at Pitzer, but he threw it.

The video captured Ortega throwing the gun moments before Pitzer pulled the trigger.

APD's top brass said Pitzer did what he had to do to protect himself and the community.

Pitzer has been involved in a number of "use of force" incidents. He is still with APD.

Ortega faces a number of charges, including aggravated assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon.