Albuquerque Police officers shot and killed a 41-year-old man in Downtown after they heard a gunfire and ran toward the scene.
According to APD, officers shot and killed a man named Stephen Griego in an overnight shooting. He later died at a local hospital. Meanwhile, witnesses told police Griego confronted another man near Central Avenue and Third Street NE.
A witness filmed Griego, who has gained traction on TikTok by live-streaming Albuquerque nightlife, last night, just before a quarrel between him and another man broke out.
A Quarrel Leading To Violence
A video on social media shows Griego standing on a scooter when he was approached by a man who pushed him.
The person filming asked Griego if he can do tricks on the scooter. Griego shook his head and said to watch out over those people as he points in front of him.
Then, a man asked who to watch out for, and when Griego replied it was the person filming, and confirming it, the man tried to slap and pushed Griego.
Griego then ran to the other side of a barricade. Meanwhile, another separate video showed two men approaching him and Griego shooting towards one of them.
Seconds later, the cameraman is running away, but you can also hear gunshots. That is when the police got involved.
The Police Involvement
According to APD Chief Cecily Barker, extra officers patrol the area on weekends as part of their Downtown Tactical Plan.
“They heard a shot fired in the area of 3rd and Central. When they responded to that area, they saw two individuals who seemed to be in some type of altercation. One of those individuals was believed to be armed,” said Cecily Barker.
Several officers heard a gunshot at 11:53 p.m., ran towards and four officers fired several times at Griego. Officers took Griego into custody and started first aid until a rescue unit arrived.
Meanwhile, APD Spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said that Griego or an officer may have shot the man involved in the confrontation, officers are still confirming who fired the shot. His injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.
Investigations Will Convene
Out of seven officer-related shootings in Albuquerque this year, the encounter was the fifth to turn deadly.
Meanwhile, the Multi-Agency Task Force will investigate and analyze the shooting over the next several months. Detectives plan to interview new witnesses who come forward and complete forensic tests before sending the case to the District Attorney’s Office for any decision on criminal charges.
On top of that, APD’s Internal Affairs Force Division will also review whether officers followed department policy. The city’s Superintendent of Police Reform will make final decisions on discipline, and APD’s Force Review Board will look into the shooting for trends and possible policy changes.