Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico say a 15-year-old boy died as a result of smoke inhalation during a SWAT raid that’s been the source of regional and national criticism in recent days.
Per KRQE, the teen has been identified as Brett Rosenau, who was inside the targeted residence at the time with the subject of law enforcement’s multi-agency operation, 27-year-old Qiaunt Kelley.
“No matter what the circumstances were, a boy’s life was tragically cut short, something no person or parent should experience,” Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement shared over the weekend. “Every single life is valuable and the loss of any one is devastating to the family and the community. We share our condolences to all who know him and loved him.”
The Albuquerque Police Department, meanwhile, cited preliminary autopsy results as showing the cause of death for Rosenau to have been smoke inhalation, adding that he “was not shot” by officers during the raid. The smoke inhalation stems from a fire inside the house that started amid the raid, with a resulting arson investigation now being carried out, results from which are expected to be shared by Albuquerque Fire Rescue officials in the coming weeks.
Chief among criticism and questions surrounding the fatal police operation has been speculation as to the cause of the fire, with police noting in a recent press release “the possibility that the devices used to introduce irritants into the home” could have started the ultimately deadly fire.
Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina defended the operation as part of what he described as an “effort to track down and arrest a violent criminal.” Medina also mentioned the ongoing investigation, stating steps will be taken if they determine that their actions “inadvertently contributed” to the 15-year-old’s death.
Police claim detectives had been looking for Kelley, alleging he had violated probation for armed carjacking and stolen vehicle charges, when they learned he was at the residence in question. Additionally, police claim, Kelley had been “wanted for questioning” in a shooting-related incident and an armed robbery. Prior to his arrest, Kelley was transported to a nearby hospital with burn-related injuries.
The handling of law enforcement operations of this nature has long been a source of increasingly widespread criticism, with critics noting the potential for escalation of a situation due to the heightened presence of police amid already perilous circumstances.
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