In a significant legal development, the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico, has reached a $20 million settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit following the fatal shooting of Teresa Gomez by a police officer. This marks the city’s largest settlement in a civil lawsuit and comes after months of legal battles and public outcry over the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
A Deadly Encounter and the Path to Justice
Teresa Gomez, a 45-year-old grandmother, was shot and killed by Officer Felipe Hernandez in October 2023 while sitting in her car outside a public housing complex. Hernandez had accused Gomez and her passenger of trespassing, and body camera footage from the officer’s encounter revealed a tense exchange filled with threats and aggressive language. Despite Gomez’s compliance and her attempt to explain the situation, Hernandez fired multiple shots when she began reversing her car after finding her keys.
Gomez’s family filed a federal lawsuit against the city and the police department, claiming that Hernandez’s actions were unjustified and that he had left Gomez to die without assistance. The lawsuit also accused the city of fostering a culture of indifference toward escalating encounters with the public, particularly people of color. Gomez, who was Hispanic, became one of many victims of excessive force, according to the family’s legal team.
While the settlement provides financial compensation to the family, it also serves as a sobering statement from the city about its deep regret over the incident. Hernandez, who was fired from the police department and charged with second-degree murder, has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is set for June 2025. As the legal process continues, the settlement offers some closure, though the family remains in mourning, seeking justice and accountability for the life lost.
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