APD investigation into 17 shootings from guns purchased by one person

Thursday, April 20, 2023

ALBUQUERQUE – APD Chief Harold Medina today highlighted an investigation that started two years ago with a rash of shootings across the city. The investigation tied multiple guns, purchased by one person, that are connected to 16 different shootings.

“This one individual purchased at least 10 guns legally,” APD Chief Harold Medina said. “Despite the legal purchases, most of the guns ended up in the hands of relatives, friends and others who were involved in 17 different shootings across the city. Five people were injured and 163 rounds were fired. These individuals often fired the weapons indiscriminately at large house parties and at several parks. They shot while drinking alcohol and they shot at homes and vehicles as retribution against their enemies.”

Adin Kellner, 25, was arrested last month for his role, along with his brother, Riley Kellner, 20, in a shooting at an apartment complex. The brothers are accused of firing several rounds at a car owned by Kellner’s ex-girlfriend. APD recovered 11 bullet casings from that scene that were later tested and matched casings from three other shootings in 2022.

This investigation is one of several that APD has worked with partner agencies, including the ATF, to utilize the latest technology and expertise to connect shooting incidents and identify violent criminals. APD investigators successfully used the ballistics-tracking technology, run by the ATF, as well as ShotSpotter technology to connect many of the shootings.

“We are getting better and better at combining these technologies to help our detectives solve crimes,” Chief Medina said. “We want to send a message that we are going to aggressive investigate shootings. While crime has gone down in several areas, gun crimes have continued to increase. With this one investigation, it’s easy to see why we’re seeing that increase.”

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