### New Mexico City Reaches $20M Settlement in Police Shooting Death of Teresa Gomez

A city in New Mexico has agreed to a $20 million settlement with the family of Teresa Gomez, a 45-year-old woman who was shot and killed by a Las Cruces police officer in October 2023. The officer involved, Felipe Hernandez, is facing charges of second-degree murder following the incident.

Gomez's fatal encounter occurred when Hernandez, on patrol by bicycle, approached her while she was seated in a parked car with another individual. According to authorities, body camera footage captured Hernandez shooting Gomez three times as she attempted to drive away.

In January, Hernandez was formally charged with second-degree murder. He was subsequently dismissed from the Las Cruces Police Department a few months later. Despite the charges, Hernandez has pleaded not guilty and is set to go to trial on June 2.

The city of Las Cruces expressed its deep regret over Gomez’s death in a news release issued on Friday. "This settlement should be understood as a statement of the City's profound feeling of loss for the death of Gomez and of the City's condolences to her family," the statement read.

Gomez's family, represented by attorney Shannon Kennedy, expressed gratitude towards the city for acknowledging the wrongful nature of Teresa's death. "They trust that the city will redouble efforts to make sure no other family suffers the tragedy of losing a loved one to abusive police conduct," Kennedy noted in a statement to the Las Cruces Sun-News.

Efforts to reach Hernandez’s attorney for comment have so far been unsuccessful, as reported by The Associated Press.

The high-profile case continues to underscore ongoing concerns about police conduct and accountability in law enforcement.