Editor’s note: This case has been updated multiple times. For more information of the case, you can read these first article and its update.
Authorities have identified the man who carried out the active shooting near Bernalillo High School last Tuesday morning, urging a town-wide lockdown during the height of the morning rush.
According to the police, Paul Mendez, age 57, shot three people sitting inside a truck near the Rail Runner Park and Ride just before 5 A.M.
Fortunately, the bullet struck only the truck and shattered its window, and no one was injured.
The shooting set off a large law enforcement response and brought much of Bernalillo to a halt for hours as authorities searched for what they believed was an active shooter.
The Shooting Leads Police to a High School
Investigators say Mendez fled the Park and Ride after the initial shooting and officers later located him near Bernalillo High School, where they exchanged gunfire with him in a wooded area behind campus.
Bernalillo Police Chief Chris Stoyell said the terrain prevented officers from obtaining a clear view of the suspect.
According to Stoyell, when shots were exchanged, they really didn’t have a good visual on the suspect because he was in a wooded area, so they backed out and asked for additional manpower.
“Once the shots were exchanged and they didn’t really have a good visual on the subject because he was in a wooded area, they backed out and asked for additional resources,” Stoyell said.
Chief Stoyell says the officers immediately contacted Bernalillo Public Schools once the suspect was believed to be behind the high school.
Schools and Businesses on Pause
The district initially announced a two-hour delay, but later decided to close all schools for the day.
Chief Stoyell said the incident occurred between 4:30 and 7:30 A.M., making the decision urgent.
“Especially being behind the school, it makes it an even bigger deal. At that point we had staff coming in, students arriving,” Stoyell said.
“We wanted to lock down that area.” he further added.
Police confirmed that some school personnel were already on campus when the alert went out.
“Our school resource officer said there were personnel starting to arrive on scene,” Stoyell said. “I think there were actually some people in the cafeteria area as well.”
Bernalillo Public Schools resumed normal operations the following day. The district did not respond to questions about how staff inside the building handled the situation or how leaders decided to move from a delay to a full closure.
The shelter-in-place order extended beyond schools. Authorities closed businesses across town, including gas stations, for safety.
Victims Reminisces Being Shot At
One of the men inside recalls the terrifying encounter.
“In the parking lot where we just pulled out, we saw a man standing there with a firearm drawn — walking toward us and shooting at our vehicle,” he said. “I saw the muzzle flash.”
The men were not injured, but the accident damaged their truck.
Community on Fear During Search
Multiple law enforcement bodies, including the FBI, responded as officers flocked the area searching for Mendez.
Officers delayed the Rail Runner service, students stayed home, and residents waited anxiously for updates.
A local business owner shared that the announcement of lockdown caused everything to close down, particularly her business which was right by the high school.
Suspect Found Without Incident
In the end Police found Mendez lying in a ditch and took him into custody without further confrontation.
Police reported he had two handguns and loose ammunition on him.
Stoyell said he was not confrontational at that point and they took him into custody without any issues.
“He was not confrontational at that point and was taken into custody without any incident,” Stoyell said.
Mendell is facing 13 charges, including assault with a deadly weapon on five officers, shooting at or from a vehicle, and having a stolen gun.
A judge will see him within the next 10 days to determine if he will stay in jail until his trial.
The Relief After
By Tuesday evening, the situation around Bernalillo High School has calmed down and businesses began reopening.
Chief Stoyell also addressed questions about why some residents received emergency alerts, and others did not. Dispatch officials send alerts using GPS location data within the incident’s established perimeter.