New Mexico Department of Justice Press Release Re: Las Cruces Police Officer Brad Lunsford
DOJ Secures Conviction Against Las Cruces Police Officer Brad Lunsford For Shooting Death of Presley Eze.
A jury has found Las Cruces Police Officer Brad Lunsford guilty of voluntary manslaughter with a firearm enhancement following the August 2022 shooting death of Presley Eze. Lunsford was remanded into custody following the announcement of the verdict and will face a sentencing hearing at a later date. Lunsford could receive up to nine years in prison for these charges.
“Today’s verdict reaffirms a fundamental principle: no one is above the law—not even those sworn to uphold it. Officer Lunsford’s actions were not just a tragic lapse in judgment; they were an egregious abuse of power that cost Presley Eze his life,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “The jury’s swift decision underscores the gravity of this case and sends a clear message that excessive force will not be tolerated in New Mexico. Our office will continue to hold law enforcement officers accountable when they violate the public trust and betray the communities they are meant to protect.”
The incident occurred on August 2, 2022, as Lunsford and another officer forcibly removed Presley from a vehicle in order to detain him. A scuffle ensued in which Mr. Eze and another officer ended up on the ground, with Eze over him. During the ongoing struggle, Eze gained possession of the other officer’s taser, though it was never cycled or deployed. In response, Lunsford immediately drew his service weapon and shot Eze on the back, left side of his head, at point-blank range. Eze died on the scene as a result of the fatal wound.
As part of its investigation into this matter, special agents with the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office consulted with use-of-force experts who, upon reviewing the available footage, concluded that Lunsford’s use of deadly force was not reasonable under the circumstances and that other, less lethal options could have been used to subdue Eze.
The trial lasted eight days with the jury only deliberating for two and a half hours before reaching their verdict. The jury was presented with footage of the incident, expert use-of-force testimony and many other exhibits that the state prepared.