APD: Suspect grabbed officer’s rifle before police shooting
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – One person was killed in an officer-involved shooting with the Albuquerque Police Department on Thursday. The shooting took place in the Walmart parking lot on Wyoming Boulevard near Menaul Boulevard.
In an APD press conference, Chief Medina said officers were looking for Audriana Gonzales, who is believed to be involved in several Albuquerque armed robberies when they located her, as well as a man with her, at around 11:35 a.m. Thursday morning in the Walmart parking lot. Both the man and woman had warrants out for their arrest.
South Carolina man accused of killing New Mexico State Police officer indicted
The male suspect went into Walmart, and officers took that chance to arrest Gonzales. She was taken into custody without incident. When the male suspect later came out of the store, officers confronted him. During the confrontation, the suspect grabbed an officer’s firearm and shot off multiple rounds.
More than one officer shot back, according to Chief Medina. The suspect was shot and killed in the altercation, and no police officers or civilians were injured. According to APD, investigators found a handgun on the man’s body.
Gonzales admitted to police that the deceased male was working as her getaway driver in the armed robberies that led to her arrest.
“This is just one of those reminders. Our officers are confronted with life-and-death situations every day, and it is very concerning when you see the type of videos of what happened today and the position that our officers were placed in. And, like I said, I am just so grateful for their bravery and the fact that none of them were injured or killed,” Chief Medina said.
Chief Medina said they are going to release Gonzales’ pictures in hopes that other victims will come forward about other potential robberies.
The Multi-Agency Task Force will be investigating the shooting, and APD said they plan to release footage at a later date.
