Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) – A man who was reportedly taking items from an Amazon distribution center, was fatally shot Saturday morning after a foot pursuit through a trailer park in Southeast Albuquerque.
Officers answered a call around 9:30 a.m. to reports of a disturbance at an Amazon distribution center, located at 11500 Cochiti Rd., S.E. Employees said the man was throwing boxes around and left the facility with packages that he placed in a truck. The employees also said the man was armed with a gun.
Officers later saw the pickup truck leaving the business and attempted a traffic stop but the truck left at a high rate of speed. The truck stopped at Western Skies Dr., S.E., and the driver fled the area on foot.
An officer chased the man, through a mobile home park on Singing Arrow Ave. and tried to stop him with his Taser as the man tried to carjack an occupied vehicle.
Police report the suspect pulled his hand out of a pocket and had a handgun, that’s when the officer fired several rounds, striking the suspect. Officers attempted medical aid, but the man died as a result of his wounds.
A second suspect who was with the man at the burglary was found later and arrested. Jeffrey Morales, 45, was arrested and charged with aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit a second degree felony, unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon, resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer, and aggravated fleeing an officer.
In a press release police say the Multi-Agency Task Force will continue to investigate and analyze this incident. Detectives will interview any new witnesses that come forward and complete any forensic tests. After the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office to make any determination of criminal charges.
APD’s Internal Affairs Force Division will also investigate the shooting to determine whether the department’s policies were followed. The results of the administrative investigation will be forwarded to the city’s Superintendent of Police Reform to make final decisions on discipline.
APD’s Force Review Board, made up of deputy chiefs, will also review the incident to identify trends and potential policy changes that may be needed in response to any shortcomings that are identified.
