'COPS' crew films New Mexico jaywalking stop that ends in fatal police shooting

"COPS" crew films New Mexico jaywalking stop that ends in deadly police shooting Newly released video shows a struggle between a New Mexico State Police officer and 26-year-old Izaeah Washington during a jaywalking stop as a "COPS" crew filmed. (Credit: NMSP) The Brief A "COPS" crew filmed a New Mexico jaywalking stop that ended in Izaeah Washington’s death. Police say Washington pulled out a gun and fired before the officer shot him. The shooting remains under criminal and internal investigation. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - New Mexico State Police released video of an October encounter in which an officer fatally shot a 26-year-old man following a pedestrian stop and struggle, authorities said. The backstory: The shooting happened Oct. 3 on Cochiti Road near California Street in Albuquerque. The officer was accompanied by two television production crew members who were filming his interactions. According to Officer Wilson Silver, a public information officer for New Mexico State Police, the officer saw two men walking in the roadway around 12:11 p.m. local time, exited his patrol vehicle and told them they were being detained. RELATED: Landlord charged with murder after disabled tenant found shot, buried under porch: Reports One of the men, identified as Izaeah Washington, walked away and then ran despite orders to stop, Silver said. The officer pursued Washington, and both fell to the ground during a struggle. Izaeah Washington, 26, was fatally shot by a New Mexico State Police officer following a jaywalking stop in Albuquerque on Oct. 3, 2026. Police say Washington fired a gun during a struggle before the officer shot him. (Credit: NMSP) Washington pulled out a handgun while the officer was positioned behind him, according to Silver. A production crew member spotted the weapon and shouted a warning before both crew members took cover behind a metal trash container. Washington fired at least one round, which did not strike the officer, Silver said. The officer grabbed Washington’s gun to prevent him from turning toward him, then drew his department-issued handgun and fired, striking Washington at least once, according to police. RELATED: Mom charged with murder after son, 10, shoots teen neighbor Investigators later determined Washington’s handgun had been stolen, Silver said. After the shooting, the officer requested emergency medical services and handcuffed Washington. Emergency personnel provided aid and took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. What they're saying: Silver cautioned that the released footage shows only part of the encounter. "The following video is a partial recording and does not represent the full event," he said in the narrated overview. A New Mexico State Police officer stops two men for jaywalking in Albuquerque on Oct. 3, 2026, as a "COPS" television crew films. (Credit: NMSP) What's next: The shooting is part of a criminal investigation that will be reviewed by the district attorney’s office, as well as an internal agency investigation. Silver said the investigation could take up to a year. "Our understanding may change as evidence continues to be analyzed and reviewed," he said. The district attorney’s office will determine whether the officer’s actions were justified, according to Silver. The Source: Information in this story came from video and a narrated overview released by New Mexico State Police. This story was reported from Los Angeles. New Mexico Entertainment Crime and Public Safety