NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A district court judge has ruled there is enough evidence to move forward with a murder case against an Otero County sheriff's deputy. In June of 2024, Deputy Jacob Diaz-Austin was responding to a welfare check after a 17-year-old was seen walking along the highway near Mescal ero. Another Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputy placed on leave in connection to DWI dismissal scandal Deputy Diaz-Austin stopped to speak with the teen, later identified as Elijah Hadley. Dashcam video shows Hadley toss a BB gun to the side as the deputy opens fire. The Bernalillo County District Attorney's office, which is prosecuting the case, says Hadley was shot 15 times and suffered multiple cuts. The DA's office presented video, photo, and testimonial evidence on Thursday, leading Judge Angie Schneider to rule there is enough evidence to proceed with the first-degree murder charge against Diaz-Austin. ...read more read less