WATCH: Video shows deadly shooting of unarmed man by Carlsbad Caverns park ranger
CARLSBAD CAVERNS, New Mexico — Recently released body camera video shows the final moments before an unarmed Colorado man was shot and killed by a park ranger at Carlsbad Caverns.
KOB-TV in Albuquerque reported that video from the March shooting has 26 seconds missing, leaving local prosecutors unsure whether to rule the use of force was justified.
Authorities say National Park Ranger Robert Mitchell stopped Charles “Gage” Lorentz for erratic driving March 21. The video shows Lorentz outside of his vehicle and initially complying. But then when ordered to turn around, Lorentz starts dancing to music from another car.
Mitchell commands Lorentz to take his hands out of his pockets and — without warning — deployed his Taser. The video then resumes 26 second later showing the ranger on top of Lorentz. Mitchell then fires his service weapon twice.
Lorentz had been traveling from Texas back to his home in Colorado. Authorities say he had stopped in Carlsbad to meet a friend.
Shannon Kennedy, an attorney representing Lorentz’s family, said they intend to sue the U.S. Interior Department and the National Park Service.
The National Park Service, through an email, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Mexico is investigating.