ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) — The Albuquerque Police Department is holding a news conference on Tuesday, March 17, at 2 p.m. to release further details about an officer-involved shooting from February, where 51-year-old Roman Kirby was shot and killed following an hours-long SWAT standoff near I-40. KRQE News 13 will live stream the news conference on this page.
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On Tuesday, Feb. 3, APD received a call about a vehicle driving dangerously on I-40 near Eubank. According to APD, the vehicle sideswiped another vehicle. Police said Kirby got out of his vehicle, then ended up in an arroyo near Eubank with a gun. Reports indicate he fired a weapon at a police drone. The standoff ultimately lasted for six hours.
“During this time, our crisis negotiations team attempted 99 phone calls to this person. They were able to communicate with him for about 29 minutes. During their communication with him, he did not heed any of their commands or pleas to put down his weapon,” Interim Police Chief Cecily Barker stated.
According to APD, less-than-lethal options were used, but were unsuccessful. At one point, at least one officer opened fire, hitting and killing Kirby…