City in New Mexico Agrees to Pay a Family $2.7M in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The City of Las Cruces agreed to pay Amelia Baca’s family $2.75 million after settling a wrongful death lawsuit.
The settlement is the first of two following Baca’s killing on April 16. Baca, 75, was shot twice by Las Cruces Police Department officer Jared Cosper. Cosper was dispatched to Baca’s home on the 800 block of Fir Avenue after Baca’s daughter called 911.
Baca threatened to kill her daughter while in the throes of a mental health crisis, according to a statement she gave to police. Cosper’s body camera shows the officer walking up to Baca’s house and making brief contact with two of Baca’s family members as they calmly exit their house. Then, Cosper sees Baca holding two kitchen knives. For about 40 seconds, Cosper shouts at Baca to “drop the knives, drop the f***ing knives!” before shooting her twice.
