On May 3, 2014, Armand Martin, a 50-year-old resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was fatally shot by Albuquerque Police Department officer Daniel Hughes. The incident occurred at Martin's home in the Ventana Ranch area.
The events leading to Martin's death began when he suffered a mental health crisis, described by his wife as him 'just going crazy' due to his struggles with depression. Martin's behavior became erratic, and he discharged his handgun while running out of his home. This prompted his wife to call the police, fearing for her safety and the safety of others.
When Officer Daniel Hughes responded to the call, he encountered Martin, who was armed and behaving irrationally. The situation escalated, and Hughes ultimately shot and killed Martin. The investigation into the shooting involved both the District Attorney's office and the Albuquerque Police Department's Internal Affairs.
Following the investigation, both the DA and APD Internal Affairs cleared Officer Hughes of any wrongdoing in the shooting. The decision was based on the assessment that Hughes had acted in response to a perceived threat, given Martin's erratic behavior and the fact that he was armed.
There were no arrests or charges filed against Officer Hughes in connection with Martin's death. The incident was one of several police shootings in Albuquerque that raised concerns about police use of force, particularly in cases involving individuals with mental health issues.
