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Albuquerque police ID fatally shot kidnapping suspect

Police have identified a kidnapping suspect who was fatally shot by officers in Albuquerque.

Police spokeswoman Celina Espinoza said Saturday that 33-year-old Rafael Molina Jr. was killed trying to evade a traffic stop Friday.

A witness called 911 after seeing Molina allegedly force a woman he was arguing with into an SUV. The woman was able to escape the vehicle shortly after.

Officers tried to stop Molina at Edith Boulevard and Garfield Avenue and then shots were fired.

Molina was pronounced dead at the scene.

Espinoza says two officers, as standard procedure, are on administrative leave.

She says Molina was arrested in May for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The incident marks the first police-involved shooting since an agreement with the U.S. Justice Department over police reforms was approved.

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