Former Las Cruces Officer Brad Lunsford found guilty in shooting death of Presley Eze
Former Las Cruces police officer Brad Lunsford was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter with a firearm enhancement for the Aug. 2, 2022 shooting death of 36-year-old Presley C. Eze Jr. Wednesday, Feb. 12.
Lunsford shot Eze at a gas station on the 2600 block of South Valley Drive while on duty and responding to a report of theft at the location.
Lunsford and another officer forcibly removed Presley from a vehicle to detain him. A scuffle ensued, and Eze and another officer ended up on the ground. During the struggle, Eze took the other officer’s taser, though it was never cycled or deployed. In response, Lunsford 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, according to the New Mexico District Attorney's office.
Lunsford pleaded not guilty to the charges in December 2023. Judge Jim Foy of the Sixth Judicial District Court in Silver City administered the trial.
“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," Attorney General Raúl Torrez said.
"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.”
As part of its investigation, 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 several other exhibits that the state prepared.
Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story said he could not comment due to ongoing litigation.
Lunsford is facing six years of imprisonment and not more than a $15,000 fine, followed by a two-year parole term. The sentence may be increased by three years for the firearm enhancement conviction. A sentencing date will be scheduled at a later time.
Defense Attorney Jose R. Coronado represented Lunsford in the case, while New Mexico State Attorneys John Duran and Greer Staley prosecuted.