EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The City of Las Cruces has reached a $20-million settlement with the family of a woman who was allegedly shot and killed by a former Las Cruces police officer last year.
The City of Las Cruces said it’s also in the final stages of financing the settlement, which the City is calling its largest agreement in a civil lawsuit.
Teresa Gomez, 45, was allegedly shot and killed by former Las Cruces Police Officer Felipe Hernandez on early Tuesday morning, Oct. 3, 2023, the City of Las Cruces said in a news release.
Later in October 2023, a lawsuit was filed by Gomez’s estate in U.S. District Court. After LCPD determined there was probable cause to charge Hernandez with second-degree murder, LCPD filed a criminal complaint on Jan. 9 against Hernandez, the City of Las Cruces said.
The City of Las Cruces determined the actions on the morning of Oct. 3, 2023, were “so severe that charges were brought against Hernandez.”
Hernandez was arrested in January and charged with a felony count of second-degree murder, according to the City of Las Cruces.
He is scheduled to go on trial next year.
Former Las Cruces police officer Felipe Hernandez
Following an administrative investigation, Hernandez was relieved of his duties in May, and he no longer works for the City of Las Cruces, according to the news release.
Las Cruces City Council met in closed sessions to review their options and reach a consensus on terms in the settlement, the City of Las Cruces said.
An ordinance will be brought to City Council in January 2025 to approve financing the settlement.
Hernandez’s criminal trial on the second-degree murder charge is scheduled to begin June 2, 2025.
“The City understands its obligations to uphold and protect the constitutional rights of Hernandez, including his presumption of innocence in the pending criminal case. The settlement reached with the Gomez estate should in no way indicate criminal guilt by Hernandez. Hernandez is considered innocent until and unless he is proven guilty in a court of law. The City will respect the criminal justice process and the outcome of that process. 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,” read the news release.
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