New Mexico Community Protests After SWAT Standoff Ends In Black Teen’s Death

Demonstrators are protesting police violence in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after a Black teen died in a SWAT standoff that ended with a home hearth.

Albuquerque Police stated they referred to as a SWAT group after 27-year-old Qiaunt Kelley, a suspect needed on a felony warrant, barricaded himself in a house on Wednesday, the Albuquerque Journal reported.

The SWAT group used an unknown amount of tear gasoline canisters and “rounds of powder-based chemical substances” within the dwelling earlier than officers noticed smoke inside, in line with Albuquerque Police Division Chief Harold Medina.

Medina added that officers didn’t hearth weapons in the course of the standoff.

A fireplace broke out within the dwelling and the suspect was arrested after exiting the house, police stated.

Fireplace crews and police later found the juvenile, who was not named by officers however is believed to have been about 14 years previous, lifeless within the dwelling. Officers are trying into the reason for his dying.

Police stated they consider the teenager went to the house with the suspect.

The dying and questions over whether or not munitions ignited the fireplace has sparked protests within the metropolis, the Albuquerque Journal reported.

Elizabeth Fields, who instructed the Albuquerque Journal that her sister Sundra Coleman owns the house, stated two males have been visiting Coleman’s son when a SWAT group arrived “with weapons drawn” and handcuffed her kinfolk outdoors their dwelling, in line with the newspaper.

“After which they begin pulling off the home windows, they began eradicating the doorways, they’d a machine that ripped up the tree, and so then they began throwing gasoline bombs in there,” Fields stated.

A resident of the house, whom Supply New Mexico recognized as Deja, stated the household is now not sure the place they’ll dwell.

She stated the household instructed police concerning the teen within the dwelling they usually “let him die and burn.”

An investigation is underway to determine if “one munition” is related to the fireplace that broke out within the dwelling, in line with Medina.

Albuquerque Fireplace Rescue’s Arson Unit is aiding the police investigation.