Albuquerque Police Detail Halloween Officer-Involved Shooting and Teen Homicide
An Albuquerque police press conference detailed an incident where a 10-year-old boy fatally shot a 17-year-old girl on Halloween in the War Zone, as ABQ RAW reported.
Halloween Altercation and Fatal Shooting in the War Zone
Intervening in a physical dispute between several people and the boy’s mother was the goal of the 17-year-old girl. Albuquerque Police Department Chief Cecily Barker stated during the press conference that the 10-year-old boy initially tried to get his mother to return inside the home.
The boy subsequently went inside, retrieved a firearm, and fatally shot the teenager.
Police Confront Armed Mother at Apartment
Officers responding to the teen’s homicide heard gunfire coming from the same location upon arrival. APD personnel heard a gunshot inside the mother’s apartment, took cover, and observed several people exiting.
The mother was armed with a handgun when she left the apartment. That action prompted one officer to discharge his weapon. The officer’s gunshot did not strike anyone, and no injuries were reported from the police gunfire.
The mother dropped the handgun and surrendered to police.
Ongoing Investigations and Potential Charges
Investigators are still working to establish if the mother had a distinct firearm or the exact same weapon utilized by her son. APD stated that the woman is expected to face charges.
The Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office has not yet finalized the specific charges to be brought against the 10-year-old boy and his mother, citing the intricate nature of the event.
APD homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of the 17-year-old girl. Meanwhile, the Multi-Agency Task Force is handling the investigation into the officer-involved shooting.
Bennie Hargrove Gun Safety Act Scrutiny
The homicide raises questions regarding potential charges against the boy’s mother under New Mexico’s Bennie Hargrove Gun Safety Act, also known as Bennie’s Law. Enacted in 2023, the legislation holds adults criminally accountable for negligently allowing minors access to firearms.
If investigators determine the gun was improperly stored and accessed by the child, resulting in the death of the 17-year-old girl, the mother could face a fourth-degree felony. The District Attorney’s Office will determine whether charges are warranted under Bennie’s Law as the investigation remains ongoing.