Autopsy shows man shot in back by cop

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - News 13 has gotten a hold of an autopsy report on a man shot and killed by Albuquerque police. The report shows he was shot three times in the back at point blank range.

“Mr. Torres had his hand on the grip and on the barrel,” APD Deputy Chief Paul Feist explained.

Feist said he's not surprised by the autopsy showing the 27-year-old Torres was shot in the back.

Two officers went to Torres's parents’ home because the schizophrenic was wanted for a road-rage incident. APD knew Torres had mental problems, but the officers said they didn't know about his history.

The officers confronted Torres in the backyard, and they said he went for one of their guns. It only took a minute and a half from the moment they first made contact him till they killed him.

APD said Torres and an officer were struggling on the ground for the officer's gun. The officer's partner then stuck his gun into Torres' back and shot him three times from behind.

Feist said there is no denying the gun struggle.

“Mr. Torres DNA (was) on the grip of the pistol as well as on the barrel of the pistol," Feist said.  "There would be no way for Mr. Torres's DNA to be on an officers’ gun unless Mr, Torres had contact with that gun.”

But Kathy Love, attorney for the Torres family, said no way.

“We think the evidence will show that he was not struggling for a gun,” said Love.

She said Torres was murdered.  ”An execution-style shooting is never justified," she said.

The Torres family is preparing a lawsuit against the city and APD.

“We hope to gain some better policies that will protect the citizens of Albuquerque,” said Love.

Chris Torres mother, Renetta Torres, who's the deputy Bernalillo County manager, told a crowd outside city hall she wants more than just better policies.

“Justice for all those that were needlessly killed at the hands of APD,” she said.

Feist said these officers had no other choice.

“The officer had to respond in that moment to protect himself or his partner from being injured or killed," he said.