Joseph Montoya is arrested and charged with Conspiracy – Armed Robbery, and Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer.
NMSP News:
ALNUQUERQUE – The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was contacted to investigate an officer-involved shooting Friday night involving an off-duty New Mexico State Police officer.
At around 8:30 p.m., the Albuquerque Police Department responded to a shots fired call at Cabela’s sporting goods store at 5151 Lang Ave. in Albuquerque.
Through the investigation, agents learned that a male suspect identified as Gabriel Velasquez, 18, of Albuquerque, attempted to shoplift several boxes of 9-millimeter ammunition. The store manager attempted to stop Velasquez and confronted him.
As the store manager escorted Velasquez out of the store, Velasquez brandished a firearm from his waistband and pointed the firearm toward the manager and several employees.
An off-duty New Mexico State Police officer, who was inside the store, observed the altercation and asked the store manager if Velasquez had pointed the firearm toward any civilians. The manager told the off-duty officer yes.
The off-duty officer followed Velasquez, who was armed with a firearm, out of the store. Velasquez was walking to a silver Infinity parked in a handicap parking stall in front of the store. The off-duty officer identified himself as a police officer and told the suspect to drop the firearm and get on the ground. Velasquez pointed the firearm in the direction of the off-duty officer and fired. The off-duty officer returned fire striking Velasquez.
As the off-duty officer approached Velasquez. Someone inside the silver Infinity drove away from the scene.
Velasquez was transported from the scene to an area hospital. He is listed in critical condition.
Agents located the silver Infinity and the driver at a residence in Los Lunas. The driver was identified as Joseph Montoya, 18, of Albuquerque. Montoya told agents he was present during the shooting incident at Cabela’s. Montoya told agents Velasquez asked him to drive him to Cabela’s and he knew Velasquez was armed with a handgun. Montoya said as he left the Cabela’s law enforcement attempted to stop him. He ignored their lights and sirens and fled the scene.
Montoya was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Albuquerque Metro Detention Center.
Montoya was charged with the following:
- Conspiracy – Armed Robbery; and
- Resisting, Evading or Obstructing an Officer.
The identity of the off-duty State Police officer who fired his weapon will not be released until the interviews are complete. No officers or innocent bystanders were injured during the incident. The off-duty officer has been placed on standard administrative leave.
The NMSP Investigations Bureau agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for their review and consideration.
The NMSP acts solely as factfinders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney’s office.
This investigation remains active and open by the Multi-Agency Task Force, which is being led by the NMSP.