APD holds press conference on Central and Mesilla officer-involved shooting
Warning: The press conference contains footage with strong language.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – On Friday at 3:00 p.m., the Albuquerque Police Department will be holding a press conference to release details on an officer-involved shooting that happened on May 16, at 130 Mesilla St. NE. Officials say this is the seventh officer-involved shooting of the year. The press conference is viewable on this page.
Officers on patrol in the southeast area command got an alert regarding a possible stolen car driving along Central. During this, the officer came across the suspect, later identified as 38-year-old Joey White, exiting a motel parking lot and exiting a gate behind him. He was observed riding a bicycle towards Mesilla and the officer observed White holding what looked like a small bag of fentanyl.
Around 9:00 p.m. near Central and Mesilla, an officer approached White and told him he was under arrest for fentanyl possession. White then fled on foot and the officer gave chase. On Friday, APD Commander says that’s when White produced a handgun and the officer fired two rounds at White. The suspect was not injured.
APD investigating police shooting near Central and Mesilla
White initially told detectives he pointed a BB gun at the officer chasing him. Investigators would later find a 9mm handgun under an old washing machine in White’s backyard. White is being charged with receiving stolen property and being a felon in possession of a firearm in addition to previous charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon and distribution/possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
The case is currently being investigated by APD’s federal partners. APD’s investigation is also ongoing.
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