More support for APD popping up on social media
KOB Eyewitness News 4
By: Jen Samp
04/06/2014
The Veteran Support for Albuquerque Police Department Facebook group says they do not agree with the actions of the officers involved in the shooting of James Boyd, but this group can relate with the men and women in blue which is why they want to show their support.
In Derek Bennett's eyes, a person in uniform is a person in uniform.
Whether they are overseas, in the military, or a police officer in Albuquerque.
He started the Facebook group, Veteran Support for APD. He says it is to counter the APD protests within the past week.
"Me being an Iraq Veteran, I know that you can do your best, every day, do the best job you can to make a difference and there is still going to be a few people who just ruin it for you," Bennett said.
He says he reviewed the lapel cam video in the shooting of James Boyd.
"We don't condone the James Boyd shooting, we don't," Bennett said. "We understand there were issues going on there that could have gone a different way."
Bennett served three tours for the U.S Army in Iraq and Afghanistan.
read more here
Fatal Shooting of New Mexico Man Sparks 'Killer Cops' Protest
NBC News
BY ERIK ORTIZ
The killing of a mentally ill homeless man by New Mexico cops two weeks ago was caught on camera — a disturbing scene that became the flash point for Albuquerque residents already alarmed by a rise in police-involved shootings.
Tensions boiled over late Sunday as hundreds of protesters and cops in riot gear clashed on downtown streets.
But the unrest appears far from over: Online hacktivist collective Anonymous — no stranger to fomenting outrage — has pledged to keep a cyber spotlight on the Albuquerque Police Department’s problems.
It’s the latest campaign for the same shadowy group that brought attention to Occupy Wall Street and the Steubenville rape case.
“APD you now have the full attention of Anonymous,” the group warned in a YouTube post last week calling for Sunday’s protest. “To the citizens of Albuquerque, it’s time to organize.”
read more here
Showing posts with label New Mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Mexico. Show all posts
Monday, April 7, 2014
Friday, March 14, 2014
New Mexico State Police to investigate Iraq veteran's shooting death
State police to investigate veteran's shooting death
KOB.com
By: Elizabeth Reed
Updated: 03/14/2014
ALBUQUERQUE -- New Mexico State Police have agreed to investigate the shooting death of an Iraq War veteran.
The announcement comes one week after the district attorney said charges may never be filed.
The incident started in Ventana Ranch about a year ago. Police said Jonathan Mitchell was spotted in his driveway holding a gun when a neighbor, Donnie Pearson, drove by. Pearson told police he heard about an armed man in the neighborhood and went to look for him.
Police said footage taken from their helicopter showed Mitchell fired first at Pearson and then Pearson shot back, killing him.
read more here
KOB.com
By: Elizabeth Reed
Updated: 03/14/2014
ALBUQUERQUE -- New Mexico State Police have agreed to investigate the shooting death of an Iraq War veteran.
The announcement comes one week after the district attorney said charges may never be filed.
The incident started in Ventana Ranch about a year ago. Police said Jonathan Mitchell was spotted in his driveway holding a gun when a neighbor, Donnie Pearson, drove by. Pearson told police he heard about an armed man in the neighborhood and went to look for him.
Police said footage taken from their helicopter showed Mitchell fired first at Pearson and then Pearson shot back, killing him.
read more here
Friday, March 7, 2014
Homeless veterans hope turned to nightmare
Homeless vets say program promising help was 'a nightmare'
KING 5 News
by LINDA BYRON
Posted on March 6, 2014
Kathie King is still adjusting to her whirlwind move from New Mexico to Oak Harbor -- a move that began last summer after she saw an ad on Craigslist. King said the ad intrigued her because it was titled, “Homes for Heroes, Homes for Veterans.”
King clicked on the ad, which took her to the Making a Difference Foundation website and its Homes for Veterans program. The website stated: “Our program provides safe and secure housing and counseling, financial management, credit repair, legal services, health and social services to veterans and their families as needed. If the veteran successfully completes our program they will be eligible to purchase the home in which they are living in or another home.”
“It all looked really good in the beginning; it really did,” said King, who had been living in an RV.
King said the Making a Difference Foundation program appeared to be offering her a needed lifeline. Founded by Ahndrea Blue, the nonprofit charity's goal is to help people with basic needs like food and housing, according its website. The foundation runs a food bank in Tacoma that won recognition for Blue in 2011 when she was selected as a Washington State Jefferson Award winner, which honors people who do extraordinary things to improve their communities.
read more here
KING 5 News
by LINDA BYRON
Posted on March 6, 2014
Kathie King is still adjusting to her whirlwind move from New Mexico to Oak Harbor -- a move that began last summer after she saw an ad on Craigslist. King said the ad intrigued her because it was titled, “Homes for Heroes, Homes for Veterans.”
King clicked on the ad, which took her to the Making a Difference Foundation website and its Homes for Veterans program. The website stated: “Our program provides safe and secure housing and counseling, financial management, credit repair, legal services, health and social services to veterans and their families as needed. If the veteran successfully completes our program they will be eligible to purchase the home in which they are living in or another home.”
“It all looked really good in the beginning; it really did,” said King, who had been living in an RV.
King said the Making a Difference Foundation program appeared to be offering her a needed lifeline. Founded by Ahndrea Blue, the nonprofit charity's goal is to help people with basic needs like food and housing, according its website. The foundation runs a food bank in Tacoma that won recognition for Blue in 2011 when she was selected as a Washington State Jefferson Award winner, which honors people who do extraordinary things to improve their communities.
read more here
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Three tour Iraq veteran attacked by road rage driver
Veteran, service dog reunited after road rage incident
KRQE News
By Tina Jensen
Published: Monday, February 10, 2014,
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – A disabled Iraq war vet and his service dog were reunited after a bizarre road rage incident on Monday.
“It was just a traumatic experience for me,” Michael Martinez said. “Nothing I expected at home.”
Martinez said he was exiting I-40 onto Juan Tabo, heading south, when another driver attempted to merge into his lane as he was turning – and then started to tailgate him.
When the two vehicles stopped at Central, he says the passenger of the other car got out and punched out the window using just his fist.
The “Disabled Veteran” license plate and “Service Dog On Board” sticker were in plain view.
With the window shattered, his service dog, Lucky, got scared and jumped out into traffic.
“Once APD arrived, they took a report. I went looking for [Lucky] and I looked for him for hours and hours and I couldn’t find him and I was panicking,” Martinez said. “I finally found him at a car wash and he was just huddled up and shaking.”
read more here
KRQE News
By Tina Jensen
Published: Monday, February 10, 2014,
Lucky helps him cope with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury he has from three tours in Iraq.
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – A disabled Iraq war vet and his service dog were reunited after a bizarre road rage incident on Monday.
“It was just a traumatic experience for me,” Michael Martinez said. “Nothing I expected at home.”
Martinez said he was exiting I-40 onto Juan Tabo, heading south, when another driver attempted to merge into his lane as he was turning – and then started to tailgate him.
When the two vehicles stopped at Central, he says the passenger of the other car got out and punched out the window using just his fist.
The “Disabled Veteran” license plate and “Service Dog On Board” sticker were in plain view.
With the window shattered, his service dog, Lucky, got scared and jumped out into traffic.
“Once APD arrived, they took a report. I went looking for [Lucky] and I looked for him for hours and hours and I couldn’t find him and I was panicking,” Martinez said. “I finally found him at a car wash and he was just huddled up and shaking.”
read more here
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Three Airmen killed in car crash
Police identify 3 Holloman airmen killed in car crash
Air Force Times
Jeff Schogol
January 23, 2014
Police identified three airmen from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., who were killed Tuesday morning in a car crash.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Nicholas Loehr, 26; Airman 1st Class Deshon Maurice Wartley, 21; and Airman 1st Class Lamont Keith Cullars, 19, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, the Alamogordo Police Department said Wednesday.
The three airmen were in a 2006 Honda Civic that was going very fast when the car went off Airport Road at a curve and turned over several times, a police news release says. Police were dispatched to the scene at 7:30 a.m. Two of the airmen, who were wearing seatbelts, were found inside the car. A third airman was thrown from the car.
read more here
Air Force Times
Jeff Schogol
January 23, 2014
Police identified three airmen from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., who were killed Tuesday morning in a car crash.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Nicholas Loehr, 26; Airman 1st Class Deshon Maurice Wartley, 21; and Airman 1st Class Lamont Keith Cullars, 19, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, the Alamogordo Police Department said Wednesday.
The three airmen were in a 2006 Honda Civic that was going very fast when the car went off Airport Road at a curve and turned over several times, a police news release says. Police were dispatched to the scene at 7:30 a.m. Two of the airmen, who were wearing seatbelts, were found inside the car. A third airman was thrown from the car.
read more here
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Volunteers step up to help WWII veteran repair home
Volunteers repair veteran's house in Upper Fruitland before the new year
The Daily Times
By Noel Lyn Smith
UPDATED: 01/01/2014
UPPER FRUITLAND — The happiness from World War II veteran Paul Anderson's face could not be erased as he walked into his kitchen Monday.
Anderson, 93, built his house, located in Upper Fruitland off of Old Navajo 36, approximately 60 years ago. But a fire on Dec. 14 left a large hole in the kitchen ceiling, exposing electrical wires and charring insulation and roof trusses.
Katherine Charley, Anderson's daughter, contacted The Daily Times about the situation and asked the public for help to repair the house.
The San Juan County Fire Department determined the fire started when a stove pipe in the roof failed. The pipe either grew too hot, had been the wrong type or had deteriorated over the years because of use, explained San Juan County Fire Chief Doug Hatfield.
read more here
The Daily Times
By Noel Lyn Smith
UPDATED: 01/01/2014
UPPER FRUITLAND — The happiness from World War II veteran Paul Anderson's face could not be erased as he walked into his kitchen Monday.
Anderson, 93, built his house, located in Upper Fruitland off of Old Navajo 36, approximately 60 years ago. But a fire on Dec. 14 left a large hole in the kitchen ceiling, exposing electrical wires and charring insulation and roof trusses.
Katherine Charley, Anderson's daughter, contacted The Daily Times about the situation and asked the public for help to repair the house.
The San Juan County Fire Department determined the fire started when a stove pipe in the roof failed. The pipe either grew too hot, had been the wrong type or had deteriorated over the years because of use, explained San Juan County Fire Chief Doug Hatfield.
read more here
Friday, November 15, 2013
New Mexico lawmakers put foot down on PTSD spending
It is about time someone put an end to all this wasted money. Simple as that. Shocked that I would say that? Then you haven't been paying much attention to the outcome of all the money that has been spent already. There has been no accountability. No one seemed interested in making sure our veterans got the best out of what they were doing. It was almost as if as long as lawmakers were seen as doing something, everyone would be happy. The results have been anything but happy for far too many veterans and their families. It is time they got serious about finding what works best, proven to work best and not just buying into what some people claim. After all, we're talking about over 40 years of research into PTSD. Our veterans deserve better than "better than nothing."
NM lawmakers scuttle bill for PTSD program
Las Cruces News
By Milan Simonich
POSTED: 11/15/2013
SANTA FE >> State legislators killed a bill Friday that would have created a pilot project in southern New Mexico to treat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The same bill cleared the state House of Representatives last winter on a 70-0 vote before dying in the Senate.
This time, nobody on the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee voted to endorse the bill.
It called for the pilot project using virtual reality treatments to be based at Western New Mexico University in Silver City. The program would have been tied to therapist training and a master's degree program in social work.
A draft of the bill called for $250,000 in state funding each year from 2015 through 2018. The sponsor, Rep. Dianne Hamilton, R-Silver City, said the amount would have been lower.
State Sen. William Payne, R-Albuquerque, challenged the proposal. He said PTSD treatments should be linked to the medical school at the University of New Mexico, not a social work program downstate.
Payne also said the program would serve the greatest number of veterans if it were in Albuquerque. About one-third of the state's population of 2 million is in the Albuquerque area.
If the bill had any chance, it ended when Timothy Hale, cabinet secretary of the state Department of Veterans' Services, spoke against it.
"This is a waste of money," Hale told the committee.
read more here
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Marine veteran taken to hospital after SWAT standoff
Police ID man involved in SWAT standoff at Big I
Albuquerque Journal
By Nicole Perez
Journal Staff Writer
5:20 p.m. — A former Marine marksman with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder was identified by police as the man responsible for an eight-hour SWAT situation at the Big I Friday night.
Jason Kerns, 37, spent eight months in jail after pleading not guilty to shooting at a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and seriously injuring the pilot in 2005, but the charges were dropped in 2006 when bullet casings from the crash site didn’t match Kerns’ rifle.
Kerns suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, a spinal cord injury and depression according to a 2006 Journal story.
Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Simon Drobik said Kerns was retrieved from the vehicle around 4 a.m. Saturday morning and didn’t say a word to police or his lawyer, so he was transported to the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation.
“There wasn’t even an interview,” Drobik said. “It’s out of our hands, they (the hospital) can keep him for 10 minutes or 10 days.”
Drobik said it’s standard practice to send suspects for a psychiatric evaluation when they don’t openly try to harm an officer or the public. Drobik said Kerns could still be charged in relation to the vehicle crash that sparked the situation, but currently faces no charges.
read more here
Albuquerque Journal
By Nicole Perez
Journal Staff Writer
5:20 p.m. — A former Marine marksman with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder was identified by police as the man responsible for an eight-hour SWAT situation at the Big I Friday night.
Jason Kerns, 37, spent eight months in jail after pleading not guilty to shooting at a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and seriously injuring the pilot in 2005, but the charges were dropped in 2006 when bullet casings from the crash site didn’t match Kerns’ rifle.
Kerns suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, a spinal cord injury and depression according to a 2006 Journal story.
Albuquerque Police Department spokesman Simon Drobik said Kerns was retrieved from the vehicle around 4 a.m. Saturday morning and didn’t say a word to police or his lawyer, so he was transported to the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation.
“There wasn’t even an interview,” Drobik said. “It’s out of our hands, they (the hospital) can keep him for 10 minutes or 10 days.”
Drobik said it’s standard practice to send suspects for a psychiatric evaluation when they don’t openly try to harm an officer or the public. Drobik said Kerns could still be charged in relation to the vehicle crash that sparked the situation, but currently faces no charges.
read more here
Monday, October 7, 2013
New Mexico State University cheats double amputee Iraq Vet
Iraq War veteran denied university's lottery win, so rival school pays up
FoxNews.com
Published October 06, 2013
At the unlikely intersection of collegiate athletics, military affairs and community altruism, you’ll find Matt Zajac.
KVIA 7 reports the Army veteran, who lost both legs in Iraq in 2007, at first seemed to win a $2,000 prize after his name was drawn from a lottery during last week’s New Mexico State University football game against San Diego State.
New Mexico State University reportedly holds the drawings during home games as part of a “fan incentive program” to encourage attendance by students.
The 26-year-old Zajac is currently studying mechanical engineering at the institution.
However, the station reports school officials deemed Zajac ineligible for the prize because he was not in attendance at the game.
“Honestly, there is no way I would’ve been able to make it to the game anyway. I was taking care of my grandmother, who is 87,” he reportedly said.
read more here
FoxNews.com
Published October 06, 2013
At the unlikely intersection of collegiate athletics, military affairs and community altruism, you’ll find Matt Zajac.
KVIA 7 reports the Army veteran, who lost both legs in Iraq in 2007, at first seemed to win a $2,000 prize after his name was drawn from a lottery during last week’s New Mexico State University football game against San Diego State.
New Mexico State University reportedly holds the drawings during home games as part of a “fan incentive program” to encourage attendance by students.
The 26-year-old Zajac is currently studying mechanical engineering at the institution.
However, the station reports school officials deemed Zajac ineligible for the prize because he was not in attendance at the game.
“Honestly, there is no way I would’ve been able to make it to the game anyway. I was taking care of my grandmother, who is 87,” he reportedly said.
read more here
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Fort Bliss soldier dies swimming in New Mexico
Wisconsin soldier drowns in New Mexico
Spc. Rob Vande Zande was 21.
By: Associated Press report, Fond du Lac (Wis.) Reporter
September 17, 2013
FOND DU LAC, Wis. — A U.S. Army soldier from Fond du Lac has died while swimming in New Mexico.
Spc. Rob Vande Zande was 21. His wife, Sarah, is due to give birth to their daughter in November. Vande Zande is the oldest son of former Fond du Lac Councilman Rob Vande Zande Sr.
read more here
Spc. Rob Vande Zande was 21.
By: Associated Press report, Fond du Lac (Wis.) Reporter
September 17, 2013
FOND DU LAC, Wis. — A U.S. Army soldier from Fond du Lac has died while swimming in New Mexico.
Spc. Rob Vande Zande was 21. His wife, Sarah, is due to give birth to their daughter in November. Vande Zande is the oldest son of former Fond du Lac Councilman Rob Vande Zande Sr.
read more here
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Army vet gets new home
Army vet gets new home
Posted at: 06/04/2013
By: Joseph Lynch
KOB Eyewitness News 4
Today in Albuquerque an Army Veteran was given a different kind of welcome home. It came with a set of keys he never thought he'd be able to hold.
Welcome home retired Army Sgt. Christopher Smith. This house in northwest Albuquerque is where the Smith's and their dog, Penelope, will call home from now on. It's a long way from rolling through the streets of Baghdad in a tank, but today takes Smith right back there.
"I think of all my buddies that gave up their life for something. I don't really like to talk about it, so I don't," he said.
Smith suffers from PTSD and nightmares, scars that no one can see from the outside.
read more here
Posted at: 06/04/2013
By: Joseph Lynch
KOB Eyewitness News 4
Today in Albuquerque an Army Veteran was given a different kind of welcome home. It came with a set of keys he never thought he'd be able to hold.
Welcome home retired Army Sgt. Christopher Smith. This house in northwest Albuquerque is where the Smith's and their dog, Penelope, will call home from now on. It's a long way from rolling through the streets of Baghdad in a tank, but today takes Smith right back there.
"I think of all my buddies that gave up their life for something. I don't really like to talk about it, so I don't," he said.
Smith suffers from PTSD and nightmares, scars that no one can see from the outside.
read more here
Monday, April 29, 2013
Horror during church service in New Mexico
Man stabs choir members during closing hymns at New Mexico church, police say
By Daniel Arkin, Staff Writer
NBC News
April 29, 2013
At least four people were stabbed at an Albuquerque, N.M., church when a man went on a rampage during a Sunday service’s closing hymns, police said.
Albuquerque Police Department officials say Lawrence Capener, 24, leaped over pews and lunged at members of the choir just before noon on Sunday. He repeatedly stabbed choir members with a weapon, according to police.
Police officers dispatched to St. Jude Thaddeus Parish discovered that several parishioners had pinned Capener to the floor, according to police spokesperson Tasia Martinez.
read more here
By Daniel Arkin, Staff Writer
NBC News
April 29, 2013
At least four people were stabbed at an Albuquerque, N.M., church when a man went on a rampage during a Sunday service’s closing hymns, police said.
Albuquerque Police Department officials say Lawrence Capener, 24, leaped over pews and lunged at members of the choir just before noon on Sunday. He repeatedly stabbed choir members with a weapon, according to police.
Police officers dispatched to St. Jude Thaddeus Parish discovered that several parishioners had pinned Capener to the floor, according to police spokesperson Tasia Martinez.
read more here
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Hotel denied family stay over PTSD service dog, until KOB News got involved
Hotel turns family away because of service dog
04/26/2013
By: Chris Ramirez
KOB Eyewitness News 4
A New Mexico family claims they were denied a room at an Albuquerque hotel because of their service dog.
Jim Deverman and his son Tim Melton were planning on starting at the In Town Suites near Jefferson and Interstate 25. The rooms are a decent price and clean, which made it at tractive for the family who needed a temporary place to stay.
They said they were surprised when they were turned away because of Tim’s service dog, Blitzen the Husky.
Blitzen and Tim Melton go together like Aspirin and a headache. Tim is 24, but his father says he has the mental maturity of a 12-year-old. The medicine to control Tim's mental disability comes on four white legs.
“Our service dogs are larger breeds because of his size are trained to help calm him down when he gets into one of his PTSD moods or fits,” Jim said.
read more here
04/26/2013
By: Chris Ramirez
KOB Eyewitness News 4
A New Mexico family claims they were denied a room at an Albuquerque hotel because of their service dog.
Jim Deverman and his son Tim Melton were planning on starting at the In Town Suites near Jefferson and Interstate 25. The rooms are a decent price and clean, which made it at tractive for the family who needed a temporary place to stay.
They said they were surprised when they were turned away because of Tim’s service dog, Blitzen the Husky.
Blitzen and Tim Melton go together like Aspirin and a headache. Tim is 24, but his father says he has the mental maturity of a 12-year-old. The medicine to control Tim's mental disability comes on four white legs.
“Our service dogs are larger breeds because of his size are trained to help calm him down when he gets into one of his PTSD moods or fits,” Jim said.
read more here
Monday, January 21, 2013
Chaplain and family murdered in home, son arrested
Albuquerque Shooting: Teenager Kills 5 People, Including 3 Children
Huffington Post
By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN
01/20/13
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A 15-year-old boy remained in custody Sunday night as detectives tried to piece together what led to the shooting of his parents and three of their children who were found dead in a New Mexico home.
The teenager was arrested on murder and other charges in connection with the shootings, which happened Saturday night at the home in a rural area southwest of downtown Albuquerque, said Lt. Sid Covington, a Bernalillo County sheriff's spokesman.
Authorities identified the victims late Sunday as Greg Griego, 51, his wife Sara Griego, 40, and three of their children: a 9-year-old boy, Zephania Griego, and daughters Jael Griego, 5, and Angelina Griego, 2.
Word of the shootings traveled quickly through the law enforcement community, and officials began offering their condolences for Greg Griego, a spiritual leader known for his work with firefighters and the 13 years he spent as a volunteer chaplain at the county jail.
"Chaplin Griego was a dedicated professional that passionately served his fellow man and the firefighters of this community," Fire Chief James Breen said in a statement. "His calming spirit and gentle nature will be greatly missed."
Jail Chief Ramon Rustin said Griego was instrumental in the creation of the Metropolitan Detention Center's chaplain program and worked to get inmates integrated back into the community.
Griego also was a former member of the pastoral staff at Calvary, a Christian church in Albuquerque. As part of his work there, he oversaw the Straight Street program for jail inmates.
Authorities said each victim suffered more than one gunshot wound, and several guns were found at the home, one of which was a semi-automatic military-style rifle.
read more here
Huffington Post
By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN
01/20/13
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A 15-year-old boy remained in custody Sunday night as detectives tried to piece together what led to the shooting of his parents and three of their children who were found dead in a New Mexico home.
The teenager was arrested on murder and other charges in connection with the shootings, which happened Saturday night at the home in a rural area southwest of downtown Albuquerque, said Lt. Sid Covington, a Bernalillo County sheriff's spokesman.
Authorities identified the victims late Sunday as Greg Griego, 51, his wife Sara Griego, 40, and three of their children: a 9-year-old boy, Zephania Griego, and daughters Jael Griego, 5, and Angelina Griego, 2.
Word of the shootings traveled quickly through the law enforcement community, and officials began offering their condolences for Greg Griego, a spiritual leader known for his work with firefighters and the 13 years he spent as a volunteer chaplain at the county jail.
"Chaplin Griego was a dedicated professional that passionately served his fellow man and the firefighters of this community," Fire Chief James Breen said in a statement. "His calming spirit and gentle nature will be greatly missed."
Jail Chief Ramon Rustin said Griego was instrumental in the creation of the Metropolitan Detention Center's chaplain program and worked to get inmates integrated back into the community.
Griego also was a former member of the pastoral staff at Calvary, a Christian church in Albuquerque. As part of his work there, he oversaw the Straight Street program for jail inmates.
Authorities said each victim suffered more than one gunshot wound, and several guns were found at the home, one of which was a semi-automatic military-style rifle.
read more here
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
180 Discharged due to their homosexuality get rest of severance pay
Deal Restores Severance Pay for Discharged Gays
Jan 08, 2013
Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Dozens of gay and lesbian former military service members who were discharged due to their homosexuality will receive the rest of their severance pay under a settlement approved Monday by a federal court.
The American Civil Liberties Union said the $2.4 million settlement covers more than 180 veterans who received only half of their separation pay under a policy that went into effect in 1991, two years before "don't ask, don't tell" became law.
Laura Schauer Ives, the managing attorney for the ACLU of New Mexico, called the settlement a "long-delayed justice."
"There was absolutely no need to subject these service members to a double dose of discrimination by removing them from the armed forces in the first place, and then denying them this small benefit to ease the transition to civilian life," she said.
A Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Col. Todd Breasseale, said the Defense Department is aware of the settlement and "will, of course, continue to follow the law, as well as the terms of the agreement."
The case was filed in 2010 by the ACLU on behalf of former Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Collins of Clovis, N.M. He was honorably discharged in 2006 after two civilians who worked with him at Cannon Air Force Base reported they saw him kiss his boyfriend in a car about 10 miles from the base.
The decorated sergeant was off-duty and not in uniform at the time.
read more here
Jan 08, 2013
Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Dozens of gay and lesbian former military service members who were discharged due to their homosexuality will receive the rest of their severance pay under a settlement approved Monday by a federal court.
The American Civil Liberties Union said the $2.4 million settlement covers more than 180 veterans who received only half of their separation pay under a policy that went into effect in 1991, two years before "don't ask, don't tell" became law.
Laura Schauer Ives, the managing attorney for the ACLU of New Mexico, called the settlement a "long-delayed justice."
"There was absolutely no need to subject these service members to a double dose of discrimination by removing them from the armed forces in the first place, and then denying them this small benefit to ease the transition to civilian life," she said.
A Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Col. Todd Breasseale, said the Defense Department is aware of the settlement and "will, of course, continue to follow the law, as well as the terms of the agreement."
The case was filed in 2010 by the ACLU on behalf of former Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Collins of Clovis, N.M. He was honorably discharged in 2006 after two civilians who worked with him at Cannon Air Force Base reported they saw him kiss his boyfriend in a car about 10 miles from the base.
The decorated sergeant was off-duty and not in uniform at the time.
read more here
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Fort Hood soldier killed in accident in New Mexico
Decorated GI was stationed in Texas since 2006
KXAN.com
Updated: Wednesday, 02 Jan 2013
FORT HOOD, Texas (KXAN) - A Fort Hood solider is dead after an accident in New Mexico.
Officials at Fort Hood say Spc. Marcus Orin Williams, 27, died from injuries after a single-vehicle accident in Albuquerque, N.M., on Dec. 19 around 2 a.m.
Williams is from Winslow, Ariz. He entered active-duty service in April 2006 as an motor transport operator.
read more here
Friday, July 27, 2012
Sheriff can't get help for PTSD shooter because the VA said NO
Here we go again! We tell law enforcement to get their act together so they treat veterans with PTSD as if they are troubled and need help. This Sheriff listened. He paid attention. He didn't kill this veteran. He took him into custody and tried to get him help. What happened? Nothing! The VA said they would't help!
Sheriff can't get help for PTSD shooter
VA denied mental treatment, lawman says
Updated: Thursday, 26 Jul 2012
Ian Schwartz
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A heavily armed veteran who caused quite a scare Wednesday remains jailed on Thursday.
Torrance County Sheriff Heath White told KRQE News 13 the man needs mental help, so he turned to the agency he thought would be most likely to provide it but came up empty.
White said, Morris Haviland, the ex-soldier, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, after being badly wounded during peacekeeping duty in Bosnia.
On Wednesday he fired a dozen shots inside his house in Mountainair, and after surrendering, claimed it was booby trapped with explosives.
"He started deteriorating throughout the week," White said. "He started reliving his experience through the military while he was overseas."
White said during his PTSD episode Haviland, 54, started firing his AK-47 inside his home getting the attention of a lot cops and then the bomb squad.
"He definitely needed some type of mental health assistance, whether it be medication, counseling," White said.
After deputies took Haviland into custody, White called the Veterans Administration hospital in Albuquerque.
He wanted to get Haviland immediate mental help for his PTSD, help he could not get in jail.
read more here
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Safe back from Iraq, veteran shot by stepfather
Returning Iraq veteran shot by stepfather in Kirtland
Submitted by KOB.com Staff
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012
A marine who served four years and survived a tour in Iraq comes home to New Mexico only to be shot.
The person accused of pulling the trigger? His own stepfather.
“He went into the house…got his shotgun. Came back to the front door and pulled the trigger,” said Josh Branch.
Josh relived the horrifying night when he said he was shot by his own stepfather.
He said the two got into an argument at their home in Kirtland and that is when Lawrence Branch pulled out a gun and shot him.
“He blew the back of my knee out. I had to get a graft from this leg for the vein,” said the war veteran.
read more here
Submitted by KOB.com Staff
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012
A marine who served four years and survived a tour in Iraq comes home to New Mexico only to be shot.
The person accused of pulling the trigger? His own stepfather.
“He went into the house…got his shotgun. Came back to the front door and pulled the trigger,” said Josh Branch.
Josh relived the horrifying night when he said he was shot by his own stepfather.
He said the two got into an argument at their home in Kirtland and that is when Lawrence Branch pulled out a gun and shot him.
“He blew the back of my knee out. I had to get a graft from this leg for the vein,” said the war veteran.
read more here
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
New Mexico National Guardsman arrested in fatal shooting
Guardsman arrested in fatal shooting
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Feb 27, 2012 10:35:22 EST
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque police have arrested a member of the National Guard following a fatal shooting. Anthony Baldonado was arrested on suspicion of murder following a shooting Saturday that left one man dead. Baldonado appeared in court Sunday.
New Mexico Guard officials tell KOB-TV that the 22-year-old Baldonado recently returned from a deployment in Kosovo.
read more here
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Feb 27, 2012 10:35:22 EST
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque police have arrested a member of the National Guard following a fatal shooting. Anthony Baldonado was arrested on suspicion of murder following a shooting Saturday that left one man dead. Baldonado appeared in court Sunday.
New Mexico Guard officials tell KOB-TV that the 22-year-old Baldonado recently returned from a deployment in Kosovo.
read more here
Monday, July 12, 2010
Female shooter killed herself, five others in workplace attack
Police: Shooter killed herself, five others in workplace attack
[Updated 2:12 p.m., July 12] A former employee shot and killed five people at a business Monday in Albuquerque before turning the gun on herself, New Mexico authorities said.
Police said officers responded to a 911 call at 9:26 a.m. (11:26 a.m. ET) that multiple shots had been fired. When officers entered the building, they found a total of 10 people shot - four were dead, including a woman believed to be the shooter, officials said.
Are you there? Please send your pictures, videos and stories to CNN's iReport.com
Two people have since died as a result of gunshot wounds, two are in stable condition and two others are receiving emergency medical attention, police said.
"We believe this incident to be a domestic-violence workplace situation," Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz said.
go here for the rest
Shooter killed herself, five others in workplace attack
[Updated 2:12 p.m., July 12] A former employee shot and killed five people at a business Monday in Albuquerque before turning the gun on herself, New Mexico authorities said.
Police said officers responded to a 911 call at 9:26 a.m. (11:26 a.m. ET) that multiple shots had been fired. When officers entered the building, they found a total of 10 people shot - four were dead, including a woman believed to be the shooter, officials said.
Are you there? Please send your pictures, videos and stories to CNN's iReport.com
Two people have since died as a result of gunshot wounds, two are in stable condition and two others are receiving emergency medical attention, police said.
"We believe this incident to be a domestic-violence workplace situation," Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz said.
go here for the rest
Shooter killed herself, five others in workplace attack
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