Late yesterday, the New Mexico State Police officer who tried to shoot out the tires of a minivan full of kids lost his job.
State Police spokesman Lt. Emmanuel Gutierrez said that officer Elias Montoya, who was placed on paid administrative leave Wednesday, was terminated from his position as of Friday.
Gutierrez said he had confirmed the firing with State Police Chief Pete Kassetas. Gutierrez declined further comment “until all appeals have been exhausted,” though he did confirm that two other officers who were present for the chaotic traffic stop were still employed by the State Police.
Kassetas called for an internal investigation into the shooting after an officer’s dashboard camera captured video of the Oct. 28 encounter between State Police and Memphis, Tenn., resident Oriana Farrell, who was stopped for speeding with her five children, ranging in age from 6 to 16, in her van.
According to Montoya’s report of the incident, he fired at the van’s left rear tire in an effort to immobilize the vehicle “so as not to put any other human life in jeopardy.”
For those who missed it, Farrell was stopped for speeding by state police officer Tony DeTavis, but abruptly pulled away. DeTavis got her stopped a second time, and Montoya arrived as backup. Farrell refused to come out, and her 14-year-old son Hezekiah briefly struggled with police. DeTavis smashed a window with his baton, and as Farrell pulled away, Montoya fired three shots at the van. They were ultimately stopped and arrested at a hotel down the road.
Kassetas' decision to fire Montoya--less than 48 hours after placing him on paid administrative leave--was the only acceptable response. While Farrell deserves the charges of felony fleeing and intentional child abuse that have been lodged against her, there is no justifiable reason to fire at a van full of kids. Period, full stop. Montoya's explanation--that he actually wanted to keep others out of danger--is downright laughable.
Apparently the saying "two wrongs don't make a right" is an alien concept to some people in New Mexico. There's actually a Facebook page supporting this guy. No, I'm not kidding. And apparently his supporters are due to stage a rally for him next Thursday.
Apparently this is the last public comment we'll get from the state police on this for awhile. Montoya has the right to appeal his firing to the state Public Safety Advisory Commission, and agency policy bars further statements until appeals are exhausted. From my perspective, Montoya's only chance may be if there aren't too many parents or grandparents on that panel.