A young police cadet in New Mexico was tragically killed by her husband in a murder-suicide this week. The victim, Taylor Hagan, 32, was a member of the Albuquerque Police Department’s current police academy and had completed 17 weeks of the 26-week training program.
The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the couple's apartment complex near the intersection of San Pedro Drive and San Antonio Drive. Authorities responded to reports of a disturbance and discovered that Hagan had been shot and killed by her husband, Briton Hagan, 41, who then turned the gun on himself. Both individuals died at the scene.
The couple's 8-year-old son was unharmed and was with a neighbor at the time of the incident. Details regarding the motive for the killing remain unclear.
News of the tragedy has shaken the Albuquerque Police Department, and fellow cadets were informed of Hagan's passing by Chief Medina on Tuesday evening. Hagan's body was escorted to the medical examiner's office by the department's color guard.
Briton Hagan, a Ph.D. in physical education, is believed to have committed the crime before taking his own life. Authorities have urged those in need to seek help during this holiday season, emphasizing the increased risk of domestic violence incidents during this time.
Domestic violence advocates have also emphasized the importance of seeking help and have provided resources for victims. The Domestic Violence Resource Center Director, Maria Cahuenas, stated that advocates are available to respond to domestic violence scenes and provide immediate assistance to victims.
“We understand how difficult it is to talk about it, to even process it,” Cahuenas said. “We will meet the victims where they are. They don’t need to disclose anything that’s happening. They can contact us to see what’s available in the community.”
The tragic loss of Taylor Hagan has also been mourned by Albuquerque's elected officials. Mayor Tim Keller expressed his condolences and urged community members to be aware of the warning signs of domestic abuse.
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