Edgar Alvarado mistakenly shot and killed during U.S. marshals’ raid on wrong address

A New Mexico attorney this week accused U.S. marshals of shooting an innocent, 23-year-old man in the back “execution style” when they raided the wrong address on Saturday.

Marshals were attempting to carry out an arrest warrant for George Bond in Albuquerque. Mr. Bond was said to be hiding out in a trailer, but the marshals arrived at 3:30 a.m. at the wrong address three trailers down and mistakenly shot 23-year-old Edgar Alvarado, according to a local CBS affiliate.

State police confirmed to local news on Monday that a deputy U.S. marshal did fire the shots that killed Alvarado.

At a press conference on Monday, Robert Gorence, an attorney for Alvarado’s family, said U.S. marshals shot Alvarado four times, including at least one shot in the back at point-blank range.

“We have evidence developed including with Hermelinda [Alvarado’s mom] that Edgar was dragged from the house after having been struck multiple times, taken outside, given commands to give up a weapon,” explained Mr. Gorence, CBS reported. He said Alvarado was then “shot a fourth time almost what you would call ’execution style.’ “

“Two shots outside, one at the door, and one after being dragged out of the house,” Mr. Gorence added.

Multiple witnesses also reported seeing marshals shoot Alvarado in the back the fourth time. 

A local NBC affiliate said police did not wear body or lapel cameras during the incident because local police must follow the policies of federal agencies they are working with and U.S. marshals policy does not allow for lapel cameras on scene. 

Mr. Bond, 25, and six others were arrested at the trailer park just a few doors down from where the shooting occurred. U.S. marshals said Mr. Bond was wanted in connection with a 2014 murder in Los Lunas, the Albuquerque Journal reported.

Alvarado’s family say they want answers but have been stonewalled by federal authorities. They plan to file a lawsuit against the government. 

“We feel powerless with these people,” Adan Cano, Alvarado’s stepfather told CBS. “They almost killed all of us, they pointed guns at my wife, me and my kids.”

A search warrant for Alvarado’s home was later signed by a judge in state district court hours after the shooting. The search warrant states it is to be executed during the day, “between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10 p.m.,” CBS reported. 

The U.S. Marshals Service declined to comment for this story. 

New Mexico state police are investigating the incident and have only stated that U.S. Marshals shot Alvarado during a “confrontation.” 

Alvarado’s family says he was not armed. 

Attorney’s told CBS that marshals seized Alvarado’s brother’s cell phone. It is unclear if the cell phone contained video evidence of the shooting. 

Mr. Gorence said that he had sent a letter to Damon Martinez, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, asking for more details about the case to be released. He said that a federal tort claims notice would be filed by the end of the week.

“All we’re asking right now is to get answers,” Mr. Gorence insisted. “So far that has been completely stonewalled.”