ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A Nob Hill business owner shot one of two suspected burglars early Sunday morning, and the nonfatal gunshot ultimately led Albuquerque police to identify and arrest a suspect connected to the break-in, according to an Albuquerque Police Department news release.
Officers responded to Cardboard Collectors on Washington Street NE after a reported burglary. Surveillance footage reviewed with the store owner showed a man breaking into the business around 4 a.m. Police said the same suspect returned at approximately 5:30 a.m. with a second individual.
The owner of a neighboring business reported hearing the break-in and attempted to intervene. According to police, when one of the suspects suddenly removed his hand from his pocket, the owner of the card shop fired a shot, striking one of the men. The second suspect then moved toward the store owner, who fired again but did not hit him. Authorities said that suspect then took the owner’s firearm before fleeing with the wounded individual.
At approximately 6:30 a.m., officers were called to the University of New Mexico Hospital after a man arrived with a gunshot wound. The man told officers he had been accidentally shot near Tramway and Manitoba NE. Detectives later determined the injury was consistent with the earlier burglary at Cardboard Collectors.
Investigators executed a search warrant at the man’s residence on Eastern Avenue SE. During the search, officers reported finding Pokémon cards and sports trading cards believed to have been stolen from the store, with an estimated value of several thousand dollars. Police also recovered a sweatshirt with blood on it, burglary tools, and a firearm believed to have been taken from the store owner during the incident.
The suspect was arrested and charged with aggravated burglary, larceny over $2,500, tampering with evidence, conspiracy, and criminal damage under $1,000. He is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
The investigation remains ongoing.
This incident highlights how quickly a criminal encounter can turn into a life threatening situation. According to police, the store owner fired when a suspect suddenly removed his hand from his pocket during the confrontation. In rapidly evolving situations like this, defenders must make split second decisions based on the perceived threat in front of them.
The fact that one suspect was able to take the owner’s firearm during the struggle also underscores the importance of maintaining control of your weapon in close quarters. Training that includes weapon retention skills, awareness of distance, and managing multiple attackers can be critical in preventing a defensive firearm from being used against its owner. Responsible armed citizens should regularly train not only in marksmanship, but also in situational awareness and retention techniques to better prepare for high stress encounters.