WATCH: Pueblo Mayor, police address Officer-involved shooting, violent crime

(PUEBLO, Colo.) — On Monday, July 1, Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham and Chris Noeller, the Chief of the Pueblo Police Department (PPD), held a press conference to discuss the officer-involved shooting that happened on Wednesday, June 19, along with an increase in violent crime in the City over the last few weeks and the need for harsher punishments for criminals.

“Yes, we have taken significant steps to hire, recruit, and retain [officers] but that quite frankly is not enough,” said Mayor Graham. “I have passed ordinances and executive orders but our department is still 46 officers shy of full and we are still working to address the issues.”

As part of its transparency efforts, PPD released its body-worn camera footage from the June 19 incident, which can be viewed in the video player above.

“We are here today to show a more accurate depiction of the events that occurred,” said PPD Chief Noeller. “Unfortunately, these incidents have become more prevalent in my career… our profession is certainly not perfect but I think we have done a good job of transforming how we do business. My officers place themselves in harm’s way daily, to do a job few of you will step up to do and I think that should earn us a little bit of benefit of the doubt.”

According to PPD, on Wednesday at around 7:45 p.m., officers were called to the 1400 block of Highway 50 about a report of a man with a weapon. Police found the car suspected to be involved with the report in the parking lot of Popeye’s in the 1300 block of Highway 50.

PPD said police contacted the man identified as 34-year-old Ronald Ray Valdez in the car and ordered him to show them his hands but Valdez did not comply and allegedly started firing a gun at officers. Several officers returned fire and Valdez was declared dead on the scene. The Pueblo Critical Incident Response Team continues to investigate.

The full press conference can be viewed in the video player below. WARNING: Body camera footage was displayed during the press conference. Viewer discretion is advised.

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