1 officer in critical condition, 3 other officers injured after NE Albuquerque shooting

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Four APD officers were injured in a Thursday morning shooting in northeast Albuquerque. Police said the shooting happened while officers were responding to a robbery call near the Dutch Bros on Juan Tabo.

The injured officers were transported to UNM Hospital.

One officer was shot at the base of his neck – above a bulletproof vest – and was taken immediately into surgery. That officer is still in critical condition at this time.

Police said a second officer was shot in the forearm and in stable condition. A third officer was shot in the chest, but was protected by a bulletproof vest. A fourth officer was hit by shrapnel in the eye.

APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said an APD service aide rendered aid to the officer that was shot in the arm – using a tourniquet to save the officer’s life.

Estaban Ortiz was in line at the Dutch Bros when he suddenly saw two people with backpacks run by his car. He heard police yell at one of them to drop the gun – but the suspect kept on shooting at them.

"He fell down, he had extended magazines, with what appeared to be a 9mm pistol," Ortiz said. "He unloaded the first one completely. After he fell on the floor, he took out that unloaded one, pulled another one out, another extended magazine, popped it back in, and as he was being shot on the floor – he kept returning fire."

Ortiz said he was terrified the suspect would eventually turn and shoot at him.

Police said the suspected shooter is hospitalized, and other individuals have been detained as police sort out everyone’s involvement.

Police have launched an evidence portal for any submissions the public may have.

The police activity prompted several nearby schools to be placed under a shelter-in-place order for around two hours Thursday. The shelter-in-place was lifted shortly after noon.

Authorities from Sandoval County, Valencia County, Rio Rancho County, FBI, BCSO and State Police were called in to assist.