A Grand Jury has indicted Las Cruces Police Officer Brad Lunsford with voluntary manslaughter with a firearm enhancement. The indictment stems from an incident that occurred on August 2nd, 2022 where Officer Lunsford and another officer forcibly removed Presley Eze from a vehicle in order to detain him. A scuffle ensued in which Eze and another officer ended up on the ground, with Eze over him. During the ongoing struggle, Eze gained possession of the other officer’s taser, though it was never cycled or deployed. In response Officer Lunsford immediately drew his service weapon and shot Eze on the back, left side of his head, at point-blank range.
“Our office is committed to upholding the principles of justice and accountability. It is our duty to ensure that law enforcement officers are held to the highest standards, that their actions are transparently examined, and that any misconduct is addressed with the utmost seriousness. This is not only an essential step in maintaining public trust but also a fundamental part of promoting safety, fairness, and the well-being of our community. We will continue to work tirelessly to foster a society where the rule of law is applied equally and without prejudice,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez.
A previous press release announcing charges in October can be found here.
