District Attorney clears LCPD officers who killed Juan Gabriel Torres

The officers involved in a shooting that led to the death of 36-year-old Juan Gabriel Torres will be not charged by the District Attorney’s Office in Las Cruces, according to Las Cruces police.

According to LCPD, Sgt. Michael Henke, along with officers Johnathan Boehne and Christopher Gamez, were justified in their actions when trying to subdue Torres.

On Sunday, Aug., 21, police were called to investigate reports of a robbery and theft of a pick up on the 1300 block of Lohman Avenue. Torres had allegedly stolen an 86-year-old man’s 2012 white Chevrolet pickup.

Police officers arriving at the scene reportedly saw Torres driving away in the pickup. Officers decided to pursue Torres on Lohman, but decided to call off the chase because of heavy traffic. A short time later, Torres allegedly abandoned the truck on the eastbound lanes of the Lohman overpass directly above I-25.

According to police, Torres, armed with a knife and carrying a bottle of beer, tried to open the door of another vehicle but was unable to do so because the doors were locked.

Video and audio obtained from the lapel camera of Officer Bohene confirmed that when the officers spotted Torres, they repeatedly ordered Torres to drop the knife but did not obey officer’s orders.

Audio evidence also indicated Officer Gamez was moving from his gun to a Taser the moment before Torres lunged towards one of the officers.

Police shot Torres when he lunged at one of the officers with the knife. He was struck several times, police said.

None of the officers involved in the shooting were injured and have since returned to work.