New Mexico boy, 15, died from smoke inhalation during SWAT raid, police say
Police are investigating a SWAT raid that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old boy in New Mexico last week.
A preliminary autopsy found Brett Rosenau died as a result of smoke inhalation, the Albuquerque Police Department said in a statement Sunday.
The boy, who was not the apparent target of the raid, was inside a home that caught fire during a July 7 SWAT raid in southeast Albuquerque, according to police.
“In our effort to track down and arrest a violent criminal, a young person tragically lost his life,” police Chief Harold Medina said in the release. “I know many people in our community are hurting right now, and appreciate everyone’s patience while the incident is thoroughly investigated. If any of our actions inadvertently contributed to his death, we will take steps to ensure this never happens again."
Autopsy and toxicology reports are pending, police said.
Police had been searching for 27-year-old Qiaunt Kelley, who authorities said violated his parole for armed carjacking and stolen vehicle charges, and tracked him to a home where he barricaded himself inside. A second person, later identified as Rosenau, followed Kelley into the home, police said in the release.
Kelley was also wanted for questioning in connection to a police shooting May 5, a man's fatal shooting June 26 and an undated armed robbery reportedly being investigated by police and federal authorities.
According to police, both Kelley and Rosenau were told to exit the home but did not.
There is false information being spread on social media about the overnight SWAT incident. No officers fired their weapons. Arson investigators are trying to determine the cause of the fire. Both individuals were given opportunities to safely exit the house.
— APD Public Information Officer (@APD_PIO) July 7, 2022
Police said officers used a drone to drop powder irritants to get Kelley and Rosenau to vacate the house. At some point, police reported seeing smoke coming from inside the home.
As firefighters arrived, Kelley came out of the home was taken to a hospital to be treated for burns. He was later arrested and booked into jail on his outstanding warrants.
The boy was found dead inside the home, police said.
Albuquerque police did not immediately respond to USA TODAY for comment.
No other injuries were reported, but according to the Albuquerque Journal, the fire destroyed the home, displaced its owners and killed a dog.
Albuquerque Fire Rescue on Monday was investigating the cause of the fire, police said.
A multi-agency task force is conducting a criminal investigation, police said, and the results will be forwarded to the local district attorney for review.
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In the release, Medina acknowledged the possibility that the devices used to introduce irritants into the home may have caused the fire.
The department, he said, uses devices designed for indoor use to minimize the likelihood of igniting a fire. No other fires of that nature have been reported, police said.
Natalie Neysa Alund covers trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Police: New Mexico boy, 15, died from smoke inhalation in SWAT raid
