Police kill man, father speaks out

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The father of the man killed by Albuquerque police said his son had mental problems but did not deserve to die.

Mike Gomez said his son, Alan Gomez, 22, was not perfect but had a good heart and would have had a good future.

That future was cut short Tuesday morning after an Albuquerque police officer shot and killed Alan Gomez. That morning a 911 call came in that Gomez was acting crazy outside of a home near San Mateo NE and Candelaria.

Police said there were reports that Gomez had been shooting a gun before they arrived.

Gomez’s brother and girlfriend were there and called police. Mike Gomez said his oldest son was just trying to get Alan some help.

“He was scared, he was concerned because he had never seen his brother that far out of mind,” Gomez said.

Police showed up and secured the area. Officer Sean Wallace stood across the street from the house. Police said at one point Alan walked outside with something black in his hand.

Police Chief Ray Schultz said at the time officers did not know if what Alan was holding was a gun. Police later said that object was a black spoon.

As Alan walked back inside Wallace shot him. Schultz said Wallace pulled the trigger because he feared Alan would harm the hostages inside.

Alan’s father disagrees.

“If he would have wanted to harm them he would have done it before they got there,” Gomez said. “Everybody knows the rule: you shoot someone in the back you're a coward.”

Mike Gomez said police failed to notice that his son, who kept wandering in and out of the house, was not mentally well.

“He didn't even know what was going on out there when he went out there,” Gomez said.

Gomez said his son was depressed and dealing with a substance-abuse problem. He said that his son went to his brother's house that morning so he wouldn't be alone. A few hours later he was dead.

“They took away his laughter, his wit, his drive, his strength, his love for me, me loving him- they took away a lot more than I can ever say,” Gomez said.

Gomez said police didn't have to shoot his youngest son.

“If somebody doesn't have a gun - you know cross the street,” Gomez said. “You know Taser him, bean bag him.”

Gomez said his son was getting help for his drug addiction.

Since the shooting, Schultz announced the police department is working on a database that would list mentally unstable people so officers know what they'll be facing if called to that home. Once the database is up and running family or friends can register their loved one who is mentally unstable.