ALBUQUERQUE – Albuquerque Police have released new details about an officer-involved shooting that critically injured 32-year-old Claude Laska earlier this month.
Investigators say the incident began on November 2, when Laska allegedly shot a man and kidnapped a woman from an apartment on Bridge Boulevard. Police say Laska threatened a shootout with officers if they tried to find him.
After hours of searching, APD tracked Laska in the early morning of November 3 as he drove through Albuquerque and onto I-40. According to APD, Laska fired at officers after pulling over on the highway west of the city. Officer Zachary Herbst returned fire, hitting Laska. A woman in the car was taken into custody.
Laska survived but remains hospitalized in critical condition. APD says multiple investigations are underway, including a review by the Multi-Agency Task Force and APD’s Internal Affairs Division. The case will also be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for possible charges.
