William Melhado
News
Online, June 23: “Santa Fe Police fatally shoot man”
Lifesaver
This is a clarification on the Santa Fe police shooting last week. The tragic events began on West De Vargas Street behind my office. I was in the parking lot on the other side of the building picking up some things from the back seat, when I noticed a young man on my right and an officer on my left.
As the officer spoke with the young man, his voice changed. I looked up as he pulled his gun and [assumed] a shooting stance. I looked at the young man and he had already pulled a gun. I thought, gunfight! I credit the officer’s quick draw and professional stance in causing the young man to flee rather than start shooting. The officer chased him and he died at the Inn of Loretto.
There have been too many unwarranted police shootings in this country. However, the officer’s actions in this instance were totally justified because they were clearly involved with a man who didn’t hesitate to pull a gun and as far as they knew, had already shot someone. In this instance, the police officer deserves to be honored for acting quickly, competently and fearlessly. He just may have saved my life.
Barry Green, Santa Fe
Letters, June 30: “Facepalm Emoji”
Nothing else like it
Apparently you are not from New Mexico, thankfully as far as I am concerned we are nothing like the rest of the country. As for your complaint “Why is Santa Fe so bad?” at whatever. Here is your answer: “Every calculation based on experience elsewhere fails in New Mexico,” said Lew Wallace, New Mexico territorial governor, back in the 19th century.
Sina Brush, Santa Fe
CORRECTION
A story in the June 16 edition misidentified the occupation of the victim in Shane Lasiter’s crime. The victim was a Dairy Queen owner.
