ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – An officer-involved shooting occurred on Thursday morning, August 17, on Rhode Island Street near Wyoming Boulevard and Central Avenue. According to the Albuquerque Police Department, the suspect fled on foot and has not yet been located.
Deputy Chief of Special Operations Mike Smathers from APD stated that officers initially made contact with the suspect just after 4 a.m. while investigating a possible stolen car. The individual “appeared to be painting the wheels of the car,” according to APD; he then ran away from officers and pulled out a firearm. A gun was later found. It is unclear who fired first or if the suspect fired at all, but police say multiple shots were fired on their end.
APD says no officers were injured in the shooting, but there was evidence that the suspect was shot. Police have alerted all the nearby hospitals in case the suspect goes in for medical attention.
Detectives have begun an investigation, starting at the scene, and a multi-agency task force is now working to investigate what happened. APD says the officers will be interviewed at a later date.
Police say they searched the neighborhood but could not find the suspect. APD has not yet released identifying features of the suspect due to its ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding the suspect or the shooting is asked to contact the police at (505) 242-2677, Crime Stoppers at (505) 843-7867, or online at this link.
