On July 5, 2022, James Langlois, a 64-year-old man from Albuquerque, New Mexico, met a tragic end in an incident involving the Albuquerque Police Department. Langlois, who was on probation for driving under the influence, had been experiencing severe health issues in the days leading up to his death. He had begun coughing up blood and communicated his deteriorating health to his probation officer, expressing a desire to go to a cabin to 'die peacefully' rather than comply with the terms of his
probation, which would have required him to remain in the area.
Despite his health concerns, Langlois's probation officer issued a warrant for his arrest when he indicated he would violate his probation terms by traveling to the cabin. On the night of July 5, Langlois was found sleeping in his van in the parking lot of a Target store in Albuquerque. The store manager reported the presence of the van to the non-emergency police number, leading to the arrival of APD officers.
When the police approached Langlois, he was initially polite but the situation escalated when officers attempted to arrest him for violating his probation. Langlois pulled out a gun and closed himself inside his van. Surrounded by police officers pointing their guns at him, Langlois ultimately shot himself inside the van. In the chaos of the moment, one police officer also fired an additional shot at Langlois.
There were no suspects or arrests made in this incident, as it was a confrontation between Langlois and the APD officers. The incident highlights the ongoing issues with the APD's use of force, particularly against individuals who may be in crisis or pose minimal threats. This event is part of a larger pattern of police violence in Albuquerque, which has been under Department of Justice oversight since 2014 due to concerns over excessive use of force and interactions with individuals with mental illness or in crisis.
The death of James Langlois, along with other recent fatalities involving the APD, such as the killings of Keshawn Thomas and Brett Rosenau, has sparked significant community outrage and demands for reform. These incidents underscore the persistent problems within the APD and the need for more stringent measures to ensure that police interactions do not result in unnecessary violence and loss of life. The community's calls for justice and reform include demands for the immediate release of footage related to these incidents and for the officers involved to be held accountable for their actions.
