Albuquerque police released footage of a SWAT officer fatally shooting an armed shoplifting suspect

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Albuquerque, NM - APD says the incident began when an officer was responding to an unrelated call at the Family Dollar on Broadway Blvd. As police arrived at the scene, they observed a suspect, identified as 44-year-old Derek Pickett, running from the store with stolen items and employees chasing and alerting the officer that Pickett had stolen items. As the officer reacted to the shoplifting, Pickett brandished a firearm in his wasteland and said he couldn’t go back to jail.

“Right now, we have an officer observing a shoplifting. We see them get in a foot chase, but I think this incident escalates at a certain point when the individual flashes the firearm,” said Chief Harold Medina, Albuquerque Police Department.

Pickett continued on foot and barricaded himself in a shed on the 400 block of Arno St, near Broadway and Lead.

As officers were attempting to negotiate with Pickett, APD said he fired a shot from inside the shed and an officer returned fire, no one was injured during this exchange.

“Brother, listen to me. We’re officers here; we’re just as worried as you are. I understand this is scary and frustrating, but we can get through this man, talk to me,” APD Officer Truitt Bushnell told the suspect before the exchange.

After about two hours, a SWAT team arrived and took over the scene. SWAT continued negotiating for around another two hours and utilized a throw phone that is commonly used to help law enforcement communicate with barricaded suspects. Police said Pickett emerged from the shed and grabbed the phone, then further exited the shed with a firearm in his hand and raised it.

As he raised the firearm, an officer fired his weapon at Pickett, another officer fired a less-lethal round and a third fired a flash bang. Pickett was hit and killed.

“Yes, we hate to see an incident like this over shoplifting escalate to this point, but at the same time, our officers have a job to do,” said Medina.

Officers recovered a handgun, magazine, and ammo, and found drugs and paraphernalia in Pickett’s backpack. Police said the gun was not stolen, but legally purchased by Pickett.