Shooting suspects laugh off charges

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Shooting at cops is a serious charge; the judge even told a trio of men so Monday afternoon in court. But that didn't stop the men from smiling and even blowing a kiss in court.

Cops said the three friends were drunk and being stupid when they fired at a police station in the heights in September.

Fabian Siddell walked out of court smiling, and his codefendant Joe Lopez blew a kiss at our camera.

“It's not a laughing matter, it's not funny,” said Sgt. Patrick Ficke with Albuquerque Police.

Police said Siddell, Lopez and driver Aaron Betonie were drunk when Lopez fired off a shot from Betonie's Jeep Cherokee towards the northeast substation on Osuna.

About a dozen officers, who were in a shift change at the time, were standing outside. Sergeant Ficke said that shot was no joke to the officers who ran for cover.

“I don't think it's a laughing or a funny matter obviously they shot at the substation and officers were outside,” said Ficke. “Those bullets could have hit anybody.”

Officers caught up with the trio, arrested them and charged them with assault and shooting from a car.

News 13 contacted the judge this afternoon to talk about the courtroom antics but he had no comment. We tried to reach the attorneys for the men, but they have not been assigned public defenders yet.

Betonie was also charged with drunk driving that night. All three men are out on bond.