ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Newly released lapel video shows an Albuquerque officer shooting at suspected carjacker eight times as the armed suspect was running from police.
The video released Monday by Albuquerque police also shows that four shots came after 34-year-old Joaquin Ortega had tossed his gun during the October chase.
The video contradicts an original criminal complaint that says witnesses told police that Ortega threatened the officer with a handgun and was shot as he turned back toward the officer.
Police say the shots came from officer Brian Pitzer. It was his third shooting in six and a-half years with the department.
Ortega survived the shooting and faces a number of charges, including aggravated assault on a police officer.
Albuquerque police are under investigation by the Justice Department over several high-profile abuse cases.
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