The family of a woman shot and killed by a former New Mexico police officer has reached a $20 million settlement with the city where he was employed ahead of his murder trial next year.
Las Cruces Police Officer Felipe Hernandez killed 45-year-old Teresa Gomez last year, and the city said in a statement Monday that his actions “on the morning of October 3, 2023 were so serious that charges were filed against Hernandez.”
In January, Hernandez was charged with manslaughter and later fired from the police force. He has pleaded not guilty and his trial is scheduled for June 2, 2025.
The shooting, which was captured on body camera footage, occurred after Hernandez questioned Gomez and a passenger about trespassing after seeing the two of them sitting in a parked vehicle in an area he described as “public housing.” . Hernandez approached the vehicle on a bicycle and told Gomez to get out of her vehicle.
At one point he tells her, “You’re going to get tazered.” A minute-long interaction takes place between the three and Gomez eventually leaves the vehicle to talk to the officer.
Hernandez recognized the passenger in the vehicle as an individual who reportedly had multiple arrest warrants issued for trespassing. Hernandez then tells Gomez to get out of the vehicle and tell her there are rules that must be followed.
“I will really make your life hell,” he said, according to the video.
After returning to the vehicle, Gomez attempts to flee the scene and Hernandez fires at least three shots into the vehicle. She was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
In its statement Monday, the city of Las Cruces said the settlement should not indicate “criminal culpability” on Hernandez’s part and noted that it will respect the criminal justice process.
“This settlement should be understood as an expression of the city’s deep sense of loss over Gomez’s death and the city’s condolences to her family,” it added.
Shannon Kennedy, an attorney for Gomez’s family, said in a statement to the Las Cruces Sun-News that Gomez’s parents, children and siblings are still grieving her loss.
“They are grateful to the city of Las Cruces for recognizing the injustice of Teresa’s death,” Kennedy said. “They trust that the city will redouble its efforts to ensure that no other family has to endure the tragedy of losing a loved one to police abuse.”
NBC News reached out to an attorney for Hernandez overnight for comment and had not received a response at time of publication.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
