January 13, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Albuquerque, NM -

After a thorough review of the evidence, the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office has submitted charges against Otero County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Diaz for First-Degree Murder.

On June 25, 2024, 17-year-old Elijah Hadley walked along U.S. Highway 70 near mile marker 240. Deputy Jacob Diaz was responding to a welfare check on Hadley when Deputy Diaz opened fire, killing Hadley.

Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman and Chief Deputy District Attorney Natalie Lyon spoke to the Hadley family this afternoon and informed them of the decision to charge Deputy Diaz. District Attorney Bregman and Chief Deputy Lyon will be prosecuting this case.

Last July, prosecutors with the 12th Judicial District conflicted out this case and asked our office to accept it and determine whether prosecution was appropriate.

We will not be conducting interviews at this time.

As always defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they're convicted in a court of law.