A pensioner was shot dead just hours after she begged police not to leave her carer, according to prosecutors. The alleged killer joked with cops before they informed the woman they couldn’t stay.
Juneanne Fannell, 82, was allegedly killed by Henry Cardana in her Rio Rancho, New Mexico home just four hours after she begged police not to leave her alone with the man.
Cardana called 911 himself to urge police to remove her from the residence for “her own safety” prompting a police response to the property.
When police arrived, Fannell told cops that Cardana threatened to kill her. Instead of confiscating his weapons, they complimented him.
On body cam footage obtained by local outlet KOAT7, one officer can be heard saying: “I like folks that have guns because I have guns.”
Cardana, according to the audio, told police in a 911 call before they arrived: “She’s a hospital hospice patient and she’s uncontrollable. I can’t control her any more. She needs for her own safety, get her the hell out of here.”
Fannell also speaks to the 911 operator confirming there were weapons in the home and that she felt unsafe.
Police visited the property on April 5 just before 8am. After one officer compliments Cardana on his guns, Fannell begs the cops: “Please don’t. Please don’t leave.”
However, the police inform her that they “can’t stay” before Cardana says chillingly: “You’re fine until I kill you.”
Four hours later, she was dead. A neighbour called 911 after a screaming Cardana allegedly yelled that he had killed Fannell.
When cops returned, they found Cardana covered in blood. Bodycam footage from the scene shows him visibly distressed blaming police for her death.
He said: “You’re not listening, You didn’t help me at all. It’s all your fault, you guys caused this.”
He has been charged with murder and the case is making its way through court. The incident has prompted criticism of the Rio Rancho Police Department for not seizing the firearms under the state’s red flag law.
Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order Act allows authorities to obtain permission to temporarily seize weapons from individuals they suspect could be at risk of hurting themselves and others.
The law passed in June 2020 despite opposition from a large number of the state’s sheriffs.
Rio Rancho police said they did not believe Fannell feared for her life and were in the process of finding her new housing.
Chief Steward Steele said: “When Officers left the scene, it did not appear Juneanne was in fear for her safety and there was no probable cause to believe any criminal activity had occurred.
“Officers did not witness any signs of distress and comments made relating to the use of a firearm appeared to be insincere and made in jest.
“Officers had no reasonable belief to suspect that either individual was sincerely contemplating an imminent act of violence because the behaviour of the individuals observed on scene indicated they cared for one another.”
Due to these reasons, there was no reason to trigger a seizure under the red flag law, he said.
