SAN MIGUEL COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – It has been a little more than two years since Devin Morris was shot and killed by Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers after they suspected he stole a vehicle in northeast Albuquerque.
Now, Morris’ family is taking legal action. They are suing the City of Albuquerque, APD, and three officers involved in the shooting , arguing that the lethal force used on Morris was unjustified and excessive.
According to the lawsuit, the alleged stolen vehicle was seen in the area of Fourth Street and Menaul Boulevard in February 2022. The lawsuit states Morris fled from the vehicle, with officers in pursuit, and ran into the Court John Motel parking lot. Three officers attempted to detain him, and during the chase, Officer Ramiro Garza used a taser on Morris but was unsuccessful.
Stolen vehicle found in Albuquerque during criminal search
The lawsuit states Morris attempted to run again with a suspected gun in his hand. That is when two of the officers fired their weapons. The lawsuit states that Morris was shot in the back. It argues that the lethal force used on Morris was “unjustified and excessive” and that police put him in a “needlessly dangerous” situation when they attempted to arrest him.