July 18 – In an effort to be clear, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina on Monday launched police video and particulars of a police and SWAT standoff that despatched a person significantly injured and despatched to the hospital after a home hearth set the person locked in on hearth Monday morning. Police have no idea if the person will survive. “The explanation we wish to have this replace is to indicate the general public and ensure there’s an understanding of what occurred,” Medina mentioned at a information convention Monday afternoon. A person received right into a home dispute, strangled his mom and fought along with his sister, Medina mentioned. The ladies left the house and a SWAT standoff ensued earlier than 34-year-old Steven Katich was taken into custody. He suffered from smoke inhalation because of the fireplace. He was taken to a neighborhood hospital, Medina Police Katich mentioned. He did not know if he would survive. Police launched video Monday of a robotic that police say was despatched inside the house with a digital camera. The video reveals the suspect holding a towel or fabric within the nook in entrance of the digital camera earlier than killing him. The video reveals the house stuffed with smoke inside minutes. Police didn’t hearth any pictures on the residence. He mentioned no pictures have been fired. Police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos mentioned police had beforehand recognized Katich had began a hearth and notified Albuquerque Fireplace Rescue. Katich mentioned they responded inside minutes of the fireplace. Police officers mentioned Monday that the response was marred by a deadly hearth by SWAT officers a 12 months in the past. In that case, a canister of smoke inhalation was thrown right into a home in Albuquerque by legislation enforcement officers throughout a SWAT standoff, setting the constructing on hearth and 15-year-old Brett Rosenau dying of smoke inhalation. Albuquerque Police Deputy Chief Mike Smathers final 12 months elevated how a lot the SWAT staff trains with the Albuquerque Fireplace Division. “I can guarantee you that each member of the staff is concentrated on being attentive to any indicators of fireplace,” Smathers mentioned. Albuquerque police are on the fruits of a decade-long reform effort after the Justice Division dominated in 2014 that Albuquerque police had extreme drive, together with in police shootings. The SWAT staff was one among a number of elements of the division that have been flagged by the DOJ and required to finish sure reforms.
