Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) — APD Chief Harold Medina was a witness to a shooting as he and his wife were traveling to a news conference this morning in Southeast Albuquerque.
Nobody was injured in the shooting, but Chief Medina crashed into another vehicle as he took evasive action and accelerated into the intersection when shots were fired toward him. The driver of the second vehicle was transported to a local hospital. Chief Medina’s executive officer visited the victim in the hospital, where he is currently in stable condition.
APD detectives are searching for the two men who were involved in a fight that led to the shooting today at Central Ave. and Alvarado Dr., N.E. A ShotSpotter activation showed a single shot fired at 9:19 a.m. at the northwest corner of the intersection, where Chief Medina was stopped at a red light. The suspect who fired the gun fled on foot. The other individual was running when the shot was fired. Chief Medina said he checked on the man who said he was not injured. That man also left before detectives could interview him.
Investigators located one bullet casing, which is being tested to determine if the gun has been involved in any other shootings.
APD’s Fatal Crash Unit responded to investigate the crash and provided the following update:
Through the investigation, it was discovered that Chief Medina was stopped in his unmarked black APD Ford truck facing south on Alvarado in the left turn lane at Central on a red light. His wife was in the passenger seat. Individuals on the northwest corner of the intersection began to argue. They then pulled a firearm and shots were fired. Chief Medina and his wife were in the direct line of fire and in immediate danger. Chief Medina accelerated forward to place his vehicle out of the immediate line of fire.
A gold Ford Mustang was traveling eastbound on Central. The vehicle had a green light at the intersection with Alvarado and continued forward when it was struck in the side by the APD truck. The truck struck the driver’s side door of the mustang with its front passenger side corner. The two vehicle did a half circle turn in a counterclockwise direction. The truck came to rest against the southeast corner of the intersection. The Mustang struck the south curb just east of the intersection and skid east until coming to rest facing west in the eastbound lane.
The driver of the mustang was transported to UNM Hospital in critical condition. He is currently stable and expected to make a full recovery.
