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SEARCHElijah Hadley, 17, was reportedly shot 19 times during the deputy’s response. Hadley was found to toss an airsoft pistol to the side before he was fatally shot.
A first and second-degree murder charge was filed on Monday against Otero County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Diaz-Austin for the June 2024 fatal shooting of 17-year-old Elijah Hadley along Highway 70.
It was found Hadley was shot 19 times during the deputy’s response. Hadley was found to toss an airsoft pistol to the side before he was fatally shot, KOAT reports.
"This is going to be one of the most, if not, the most significant police shooting cases in New Mexico in a long time," KOAT Legal Expert John Day said.
The charges were filed by the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office, who will help prosecute the case. The Twelfth Judicial District requested Bernalillo County to investigate if charges were warranted.