Police: Woman shot by husband in store

MORIARTY, N.M. (KRQE) - Police said a cashier was shot at the Alco Discount Store in Moriarty around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, and her husband is suspected of pulling the trigger. Shortly after the shooting, police say he committed suicide.

According to Chief Bobby Garcia of the Moriarty Police Department, the cashier, Gerta Stout, was shot twice and was airlifted to the University of New Mexico Hospital. One bullet hit her in the leg, while another grazed her temple.

She suffered severe injuries, but never lost consciousness. She's expected to recover.

“It's just crazy that, you know, what happened today in Moriarty,” Claudia Chavez said.

Police then looked for Ronald Stout, 57, who was driving a white Kia.

Greta Stout had a temporary protection order against him.

After the shooting, Garcia said, other employees and customers locked themselves in a back room as they waited for police to arrive.

Later, state police said they found a car matching the description of Ronald Stout's after a witness said it slammed into a guard rail on Interstate 40 near Unser Boulevard in northwest Albuquerque.

“The license plate does come back to Greta and Ron stout,” State Police Lt. Ramon Casaus said.

Inside the car was Stout who died of a gunshot wound to the head.

Moriarty Police couldn't say whether Ronald Stout had a criminal history.

Management closed the Alco Store after the shooting.

Police credit Greta Stout's coworkers for acting quickly to get her first aid after the shooting.

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