New Mexico Officials Indict Former Albuquerque Police Officer in Deadly Shooting
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A grand jury has indicted former Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officer Jeremy hartsfield in connection with the 2022 death of Marlon McNeill, marking a significant development in a case that has drawn scrutiny and protests. The indictment, handed down on January 17, 2026, charges Hartsfield with second-degree murder and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
The shooting occurred on july 18, 2022, near Central Avenue and 12th Street.according to police reports and body camera footage released by APD, officers responded to reports of a man allegedly brandishing a firearm.Hartsfield, who was attempting to take McNeill into custody, fired his weapon, striking McNeill. McNeill, 42, died from his injuries shortly after.
the investigation, initiated in 2023 by the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, focused on whether hartsfield’s use of force was justified. The Attorney general’s Office took over the investigation following concerns raised by community activists and McNeill’s family regarding the initial police account of the incident. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the grand jury’s decision followed a lengthy presentation of evidence.
“This indictment reflects our commitment to ensuring accountability when force is used by law enforcement,” stated new Mexico Attorney General Hector balderas in a press conference following the indictment. “We respect the grand jury’s decision and will vigorously prosecute this case.”
hartsfield, who was placed on administrative leave after the shooting and subsequently terminated from the APD, maintains his innocence. His legal counsel, Sarah Johnson, released a statement asserting that Hartsfield acted lawfully and in self-defense. “Officer Hartsfield reasonably believed his life and the lives of others were in danger,” Johnson stated. “We are confident that he will be exonerated at trial.”
The case has sparked renewed debate about police use of force and racial justice in Albuquerque. KRQE News 13 reports that community groups have organized protests demanding justice for McNeill and calling for greater police accountability. The Department of Justice has been monitoring the APD for years under a court-approved settlement agreement aimed at addressing excessive force and other civil rights violations.
Hartsfield is currently being held without bail. A trial date has not yet been set. The Attorney General’s Office has indicated that it intends to present a thorough case, including forensic evidence, witness testimony, and body camera footage.
