Investigators said they have found evidence that Julian Sanchez, who was killed in an officer-involved shooting Nov. 5 on Tramway, fired his handgun during the incident.
An update sent by Albuquerque Police Department Wednesday says that further investigation revealed that one of the gunshot wounds Sanchez suffered entered and exited his leg from top to bottom and left to right, “indicating the projectile was fired by Sanchez’s own gun.”
Additionally, Sanchez was also stuck by gunshots to the left side of his body as he sat in the driver’s seat. Those wounds, according to the release, indicate those bullets were fired by the officer standing outside the vehicle.
Officer Nicholas Steward has been identified as the officer who fired. He told detectives he saw a muzzle flash from the firearm Sanchez was handling inside the vehicle. Steward fired several shots in response, killing Sanchez.
In a Dec. 2 news conference, APD provided preliminary details of the investigation. At that point in the investigation, they said Steward believed Sanchez fired his gun but detectives did not find evidence the gun was discharged. Following the news conference, both the criminal investigation and a separate, administrative investigation continued.
“While we want to be transparent with the public about these shooting investigations, we are providing preliminary details, not final conclusions,” APD Chief Harold Medina said. “Our detectives continue to thoroughly investigate these shootings long after we brief the public. We can’t jump to conclusions until these investigations are complete.”
Wednesday’s release states the investigations into the incident are ongoing as detectives continue to exam all evidence, including the possibility that Sanchez fired his handgun.
