Jeanfromfillmore
03-30-2010, 03:49 AM
Police fatally shoot illegal immigrant near airport
An Albany County Sheriff’s Officer deputy shot and killed an illegal immigrant in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 20, near Albany International Airport.
Police say Marcus DeJesus Alvarez, 36, of 59 Central Avenue, Albany, threw a chunk of concrete at Deputy Vincent Igoe and then charged at the officer, who shot him twice in the torso.
A subsequent investigation revealed Alvarez was in the country illegally, and had a wife and five children living in Mexico to whom he was sending money. Police informed his wife—Augustina Cruz Garcia—and family of his death by phone Sunday night.
Police interviewed three inmates at the Albany County Correctional Facility who were also illegal immigrants. They had been arrested in connection with a stabbing in the Latham Village apartments about a quarter mile from where the shooting took place.
“We were thinking all along that there had to be something to do with immigration,” said Undersheriff Craig Apple at a Monday press conference.
Through a translator, the inmates led police to 59 Central Avenue, where “fictitious documents” with Alvarez’s name on them were located.
Police are continuing an investigation in hopes of finding the source of these documents.
The apartment on Central Avenue was described as a sort of flophouse filled with empty beer cans that persons would apparently stay at for a few days before moving on.
It is still not clear what Alvarez was doing walking down the unlighted stretch of Watervliet-Shaker Road, where Deputy Igoe stopped to check on his status. Though an autopsy was performed Saturday, toxicology reports will not be available for a few weeks.
“We’re still trying to piece it together, we’re missing a few hours,” Apple said.
Sheriff James Campbell said that road does lead to an airport park and fly area.
“It would warrant a deputy to challenge one of the individuals they came across who was walking on that road at 12:30 in the morning walking towards the airport,” Campbell said. “He was doing his job.”
Campbell said it’s the first time during his 20 years in office a deputy has discharged a weapon at a person. In the Sheriff’s Department, only shift supervisors carry Tazer stun gun.
“There were no incidents over the past years that warranted going out and getting them,” Campbell said.
If the department reviews that policy, Saturday’s incident will weigh into a decision, he continued.
Police are also armed with pepper spray, batons and .40-caliber Glock pistols. Apple said the fact Alvarez had thrown an object at the officer, was charging him and reaching into his pocket warranted Igoe’s response.
“I don’t think the Tazer would have even had an opportunity to be engaged at that time,” Apple said. “He took the proper course of action.”
Igoe was uniformed, driving a marked patrol car and identified himself as a police officer, including saying “policia”. He’s an 11-year veteran of the department.
Police said Alvarez worked sporadically for Maddelone & Associates, a property management company in the City of Schenectady. He was last seen on Friday, March 19, at the company and was told to come back to pick up his paycheck at 3 p.m. He never returned.
A grand jury investigation is common in police shootings.
https://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/127aec284d441d39
An Albany County Sheriff’s Officer deputy shot and killed an illegal immigrant in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 20, near Albany International Airport.
Police say Marcus DeJesus Alvarez, 36, of 59 Central Avenue, Albany, threw a chunk of concrete at Deputy Vincent Igoe and then charged at the officer, who shot him twice in the torso.
A subsequent investigation revealed Alvarez was in the country illegally, and had a wife and five children living in Mexico to whom he was sending money. Police informed his wife—Augustina Cruz Garcia—and family of his death by phone Sunday night.
Police interviewed three inmates at the Albany County Correctional Facility who were also illegal immigrants. They had been arrested in connection with a stabbing in the Latham Village apartments about a quarter mile from where the shooting took place.
“We were thinking all along that there had to be something to do with immigration,” said Undersheriff Craig Apple at a Monday press conference.
Through a translator, the inmates led police to 59 Central Avenue, where “fictitious documents” with Alvarez’s name on them were located.
Police are continuing an investigation in hopes of finding the source of these documents.
The apartment on Central Avenue was described as a sort of flophouse filled with empty beer cans that persons would apparently stay at for a few days before moving on.
It is still not clear what Alvarez was doing walking down the unlighted stretch of Watervliet-Shaker Road, where Deputy Igoe stopped to check on his status. Though an autopsy was performed Saturday, toxicology reports will not be available for a few weeks.
“We’re still trying to piece it together, we’re missing a few hours,” Apple said.
Sheriff James Campbell said that road does lead to an airport park and fly area.
“It would warrant a deputy to challenge one of the individuals they came across who was walking on that road at 12:30 in the morning walking towards the airport,” Campbell said. “He was doing his job.”
Campbell said it’s the first time during his 20 years in office a deputy has discharged a weapon at a person. In the Sheriff’s Department, only shift supervisors carry Tazer stun gun.
“There were no incidents over the past years that warranted going out and getting them,” Campbell said.
If the department reviews that policy, Saturday’s incident will weigh into a decision, he continued.
Police are also armed with pepper spray, batons and .40-caliber Glock pistols. Apple said the fact Alvarez had thrown an object at the officer, was charging him and reaching into his pocket warranted Igoe’s response.
“I don’t think the Tazer would have even had an opportunity to be engaged at that time,” Apple said. “He took the proper course of action.”
Igoe was uniformed, driving a marked patrol car and identified himself as a police officer, including saying “policia”. He’s an 11-year veteran of the department.
Police said Alvarez worked sporadically for Maddelone & Associates, a property management company in the City of Schenectady. He was last seen on Friday, March 19, at the company and was told to come back to pick up his paycheck at 3 p.m. He never returned.
A grand jury investigation is common in police shootings.
https://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&shva=1#inbox/127aec284d441d39