US policeman sacked after shooting at mini-van full of children

A policeman who shot at a mini-van full of children during a chaotic traffic stop has been sacked.

Officer Elias Montoya had been placed on administrative leave by New Mexico State Police this week, following an investigation into the shooting outside the northern New Mexico tourist town of Taos.

Video from a police car dashboard camera taken on October 28 showed the officer shooting at the mini-van as a Memphis, Tennessee, woman drove away.

The motorist, 39-year-old Oriana Farrell, had been stopped for speeding and fled twice after arguing with a police officer.

Mr Montoya has 30 days to appeal against the decision to fire him.