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In loving memory
Antonio R. “Tony” Valenzuela
United States · Aged 40 · Died 02/29/2020
Other
How they died
Less-than-lethal force
A Las Cruces officer conducted a traffic stop on a blue GMC pickup for expired insurance. During the traffic stop, the LCPD officer observed two females inside the other and a man sitting in the back seat not wearing a seatbelt. The officer learned Antonio Valenzuela had a bench warrant for his arrest. The officer told Valenzuela to get out of the other, at which time he fled on foot. During the foot pursuit, Officer Christopher Smelser reportedly shocked Valenzuela with a Taser, to no effect. He then placed Valenzuela in a chokehold killing him. Smelser was charged with second degree murder.
Alleged responsible partyLas Cruces Police DepartmentReported by the cited sources. “Alleged” is used pending verification.
Why we remember them
This record exists so that Antonio R. “Tony” Valenzuela, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.
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