ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect killed in a deputy-involved shooting in the South Valley on Tuesday. Officials say they were flagged down at around 1:30 p.m. about a suspicious person inside a vehicle near Rio Bravo. Deputies attempted to make contact with 45-year-old Colby Atkins near Rio Bravo and 2nd when they say he rammed three cruisers and took off.
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He fled westbound on Rio Bravo and turned southbound on Isleta. Atkins crashed into two civilian vehicles near Isleta and Camino Del Valle. BCSO says he exited the vehicle and refused to comply with deputy commands, and a confrontation ensued. They say at least one deputy engaged Atkins and shot him.
He died on the scene from at least one gunshot wound. Investigators say the vehicle Atkins was in was reported stolen. BCSO says they are still reviewing the body camera video from the shooting. It is unknown how many deputies were involved in the shooting or how many shots were fired at the male suspect.
Atkins has a lengthy criminal history including a bank robbery and drug charges. He was arrested in March for receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle but there was an arrest warrant in that case for failing to appear in court.
