ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque police have arrested a 17-year-old in connection with a deadly shooting at a West Side apartment complex late Thursday night.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire around 11:30 p.m. at 1919 Ladera Drive NW. They found a man dead from a gunshot wound, with what appeared to be a handgun next to him. Investigators later determined it was a BB gun designed to look like a real firearm. The victim has not yet been publicly identified.
Surveillance footage from nearby apartments showed a person in gray sweatpants, a gray sweatshirt, and a black fannypack walking with a female shortly before gunshots were heard. That individual was later identified by a witness, and police detained him inside the apartment.
A search warrant led to the discovery of clothing matching the suspect’s description, along with gun magazines and a gun box. The firearm itself was not recovered.
The teen is charged with an open count of murder, tampering with evidence, and unlawful possession of a handgun. He was booked into the Bernalillo County Detention Center.
Juvenile crime in Albuquerque has seen a sharp increase in recent years. The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office reported a 57% rise in cases involving juvenile defendants from 2022 to 2023. Officials say violent offenses among youth are at a four-year high, raising concerns about access to firearms and community safety.
