Video of a homeless man being shot to death by police for illegally camping in New Mexico has caused outrage.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, James Boyd was fatally shot in the Sandia Foothills outside Albuquerque last Sunday evening when he was confronted by police officers for sleeping in an unauthorized area.
Video of the shooting was caught on an officer’s helmet cam and has sparked public outrage with some suggesting that it was murder.
The New York Daily News noted that the footage showed Boyd finally prepared to give himself up after a three-hour standoff and turns to gather his few possessions. He is surrounded by officers pointing rifles at him and one fired a flash-bang device into his path. He is then shot several times and pronounced dead a short time later.
Despite the fury from critics, the police department said the agents were justified in shooting the 38-year-old.
Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden said that Boyd had a lengthy criminal history, dating back almost 20 years.
The department is awaiting the medical examiner’s report on the official cause of death.