EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The former Las Cruces police officer accused of shooting and killing a woman back in 2023 during an encounter that was caught on body cam video took the stand on the third day of his trial on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Felipe Hernandez’s trial began on Monday, Oct. 27. He is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 45-year-old Teresa Gomez that happened on Oct. 3, 2023.
The defense was able to give the last of its opening statement since time had run out on Monday. Hernandez’s attorney said that the shooting death of Gomez was “justifiable homicide.”
Hernandez testified at 9:15 a.m., and we learn the following:
He is married, has a son, and lives in Las Cruces; he served in the Army as he enlisted in 2001, and was deployed overseas to Iraq; he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in February 2005, and he is still receiving treatment; he is firearm trained — shoot-don’t shoot scenario; In February 2016, he was certified to become a Las Cruces police officer; he has partnered with Toys for Tots during Christmas; and in 2023, he was on the day shift, a position had opened for community outreach to address areas.
In May 2024, Hernandez was fired from the Las Cruces Police Department and arrested in January following the shooting incident.
As KTSM previously reported, moments before the shooting incident, Hernandez approached Gomez at a housing complex while she was in a vehicle with a passenger. After questioning her, Hernandez asked Gomez to step out of the car, which she eventually did. Investigators say she later got back into the driver’s seat and attempted to drive away, according to court documents.
Prosecutors had alleged that Hernandez fired multiple shots, hitting Gomez. She died from her injuries at a hospital.
The trial is expected to wrap up by the end of the week.
This is a developing story, and KTSM will update as the trial continues.
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