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APD Officers are Investigating a Murder Suicide

Three children dead, Mother hospitalized.

Detectives are investigating after an offender shot a mother and her three children and then shot himself.

On December 5, 2016, at about 6:30 p.m. officers in the Foothills Area Command were called to reports of a shooting on the 1500 block of Stagecoach Lane Southeast.

Preliminary investigation shows that a 45-year-old man, whose identity will be released later, went uninvited to his ex-girlfriend’s residence.  It appears he forced his way inside the home while the family was not there and was waiting for them when they arrived.

When the mother, a 36-year-old woman, and her children got home, the ex-boyfriend confronted them inside the house.  The offender then shot the three children and their mother.  Evidence shows the mother fought valiantly to try to save her children and get them out of the house.

Tragically the three children have died from their injuries.   The mother was severely injured and remains in critical but stable condition in a local hospital.  The offender was transported to the hospital as well where he died from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Facts concerning a motive, what led up to this shooting, and what happened during the shooting are still being investigated. Evidence is also still being processed.

The children were a five-year-old boy, a six-year-old girl and a nine-year-old boy.  Their names, as well as the name of their mother, will not be released at the request of the family at this time.

The response time for this call was as follows:

The first call to the dispatch center came in at 6:31 p.m.

The first officer on scene was at 6:36 p.m.

The Albuquerque Police Department and the media have a responsibility to report confirmed facts and protect others who will be affected by this incident.  The Albuquerque Public Schools has been advised in order to prepare for any needs of the children who may know the victims. 

APD knows this tragedy not only affects the family, it affects our community, the first responders and everyone who knew the victims involved.  Due to this, releasing only confirmed information eliminates any misunderstandings or misinformation and possible further harm in this case. 

APD would also like to thank the first responders, paramedics, doctors, neighbors and all of those who helped during this tragic situation.