Albuquerque police video shows woman hiding before fatal shooting
*Warning: Video may show graphic content.*
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Albuquerque Police Department held a news conference Friday to release details of a March 19, 2024, fatal shooting involving APD.
According to APD, officers located a man and a woman inside a stolen vehicle at the post office in the area of Candelaria and Eubank. The woman, identified as Mariah Voigt, fled into a nearby neighborhood when police attempted to make contact.
While police searched for Voigt, they contacted her mother, who was the owner of the stolen vehicle. She confirmed she wanted to press charges for the stolen vehicle.
Voigt also had an active felony warrant for an incident involving narcotics and evading officers. A K9 eventually was able to locate Voigt in a shed in a backyard of a residence near Mesa Arriba Ave. and Betts St.
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“Mariah then quickly exited the shed, took a shooting stance with her feet apart, and extended her arms with her cell phone as if it was about to shoot. Officer David Nix fires three rounds from his duty-issued rifle. Mariah is struck one time,” said Albuquerque Police Deputy Commander Kyle Hartsock at the news conference on Friday.
According to police, Voigt had in her hands what officers thought was a gun. Drone footage released on Friday shows as she came out of the shed, she held the phone out as if it was a firearm and pointed it at police. One officer fired three rounds and struck her, and another officer simultaneously fired a less-than-lethal round at Voigt.
Voigt was taken to UNMH where she died. Meth and fentanyl were found in her system.
“It’s also imperative to recognize that our officers are making life and death decisions at the spur of a moment,” Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said in a news conference on Friday.
A gun was not found on scene. APD said drone footage showed Voigt inside the shed manipulating an object with her hands seconds before the shooting. APD said at the time, drone operators were unsure exactly what object she had in her hands.
APD said there have been three officer-involved shootings this year. The officer who fired the shot, David Nix, was placed on leave but is now back on duty.
