In a tragic incident, a young police cadet in Albuquerque, New Mexico, lost her life in a murder-suicide incident allegedly perpetrated by her husband. The victim, 32-year-old Taylor Hagan, was in the midst of her training with the Albuquerque Police Department, having completed 17 weeks of the 26-week course.
The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon in the couple’s apartment at the Olympus Encantada complex. Responding to reports of a disturbance, officers arrived at the scene shortly after 4 p.m. The investigation led by homicide detectives revealed that Hagan was shot by her husband, 41-year-old Briton Hagan, who subsequently turned the gun on himself. Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
The couple’s 8-year-old son was reportedly with a neighbor when the police arrived. It remains unclear whether the child was present in the apartment at the time of the shooting. Further details about the incident are yet to be disclosed, and no motive has been publicly suggested.
Albuquerque Police Chief Medina expressed his condolences in a press release, acknowledging Hagan’s dedication to becoming a police officer. He extended his sympathies to her family and loved ones on behalf of the entire police department. Hagan’s fellow cadets were informed of the tragic loss on Tuesday evening. As a mark of respect, her body was escorted to the medical examiner’s office by the department’s color guard.
Briton Hagan, the alleged perpetrator, was a doctorate holder in physical education from the University of New Mexico, having graduated in 2017. The incident has sparked discussions about domestic violence, particularly its increase during the holiday season.
Gilbert Gallegos, a police spokesperson, urged those in immediate danger to seek help and call a crisis hotline. Maria Cahuenas, Director of the Domestic Violence Resource Center, echoed this sentiment, assuring that advocates are available to provide immediate assistance to victims.
The city’s elected leadership, including Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, mourned the loss of the young cadet. Keller emphasized the pervasiveness of domestic violence and urged the community to be vigilant for signs of abuse, especially during the holiday season.