ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — Otero County Sheriff David Black is facing intensifying public scrutiny as calls for transparency escalate in the aftermath of the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Elijah Hadley. The June 2024 incident, which occurred during a late-night welfare check, has sparked widespread outrage and prompted protests, petitions, and demands for accountability from community leaders and civil rights groups.
Community Outrage Builds Amid Silence
Protesters have continued to gather outside the Otero County Sheriff’s Office and local government buildings, demanding answers in Hadley’s death. Civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, and tribal representatives from the Mescalero Apache Nation, have joined forces with Hadley’s family and advocates, urging state and federal authorities to intervene.
“The silence is deafening,” said one protest organizer, speaking anonymously due to safety concerns. “We’ve seen no leadership, no accountability — and that’s unacceptable when a teenager dies under these circumstances.”
Their concerns are not just about the shooting but also about a potential conflict of interest involving County Commissioner Vickie Marquardt, whose brother-in-law is Sheriff Black. Activists are urging the state Attorney General to investigate her involvement in budget and policy decisions that directly affect the Sheriff’s Department, questioning whether ethical boundaries were crossed.
Incident Details Raise More Questions
The fatal incident took place just after 11 p.m. on June 25, when a deputy with the Otero County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check on Highway 70. Body camera footage obtained by KOAT News through an information request reveals that Hadley was initially approached calmly. He appeared to throw aside an object — later identified as an airsoft gun — before being shot four times by the deputy.
Also Read – Ruidoso Officials Seek Flood Relief Amid Ongoing Water, Sewer Challenges
Disturbingly, the footage then shows Hadley lying on the ground for several minutes. Without rendering aid, the deputy fired again, striking Hadley more than 15 additional times. By the time backup arrived around 11:23 p.m., the teen had died from his injuries.
The deputy, whose identity has not been disclosed over a month later, remains on duty, and no formal updates have been issued by New Mexico State Police or the 12th Judicial District.
Sheriff’s Response Criticized as “Combative and Dismissive”
Sheriff David Black has come under fire not only for the department’s handling of the shooting but also for his combative stance toward the media. After repeated attempts by KFOX14 to obtain a statement, the sheriff accused the outlet of publishing “half-truths” and “tainting public opinion,” ultimately refusing an interview. His final response to the journalist included a sharp rebuke: “No thanks, you have shown me what a terrible person you are. Karma is coming!”
The refusal to address the public or press has only deepened the frustration felt by many residents. Critics argue that this lack of transparency reflects poorly on the Sheriff’s Office and erodes public trust.
Petition to Recall Sheriff Black Gains Momentum
A petition calling for Sheriff Black’s resignation was launched on August 10 by Spencer Bond. The document, which has gathered over 230 signatures in its first days, demands the sheriff step down by September 10 or face recall efforts.
According to the petition:
“The footage clearly shows Elijah discarding what turned out to be an airsoft gun before being shot multiple times. No aid was rendered. No accountability has followed. Sheriff Black has failed to lead, failed to speak, and failed to act.”
The petition has galvanized citizens across diverse communities, including Mescalero Apache citizens, local faith leaders, LULAC advocates, and others who say the Sheriff’s unwillingness to address the shooting only deepens the trauma.
History of Departmental Concerns
Sheriff Black was elected on a promise to reform a department previously marred by controversy and mismanagement. However, recent missteps by deputies, combined with this latest tragedy, have cast doubt on whether meaningful reform has occurred.
Internal sources within the department suggest morale is deteriorating. “There’s a growing sense of disillusionment,” one deputy reportedly told AlamogordoTownNews.org. “We signed up to protect and serve — but right now, the leadership isn’t doing either.”
Also Read – 1 Airlifted After Semitruck Overturns on New Mexico Highway
What’s Next?
Advocates are now pushing for broader investigations — not just into the shooting itself, but also into the behavior and oversight responsibilities of the Otero County Commission. Many question why the sheriff was allowed to skip the latest commission meeting without consequence, and why the commission has remained largely silent in the face of growing community backlash.
As local leaders, families, and residents await answers, protests continue, and online engagement grows. For many in Otero County, Elijah Hadley’s death has become a symbol of deeper systemic issues within the justice system — and they’re not letting up in their calls for change.
