APD Releases Details of Recent Officer-Involved Shooting
APD Releases Details of Recent Officer-Involved Shooting
Thursday, 9/23/21
ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department released details today of a recent officer-involved shooting.
Date of Incident: Aug. 15, 2021
Location: 9121 Menaul Blvd. N.E.
On Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021, officers in the Southeast Area Command observed a stolen vehicle occupied by a male and female in the area of Lomas Blvd. and Louisiana Blvd. The vehicle fled a traffic stop and an officer initiated a Star Chase tracking device which made contact with the vehicle. The vehicle was tracked through GPS to Morrow Ave. and Pennsylvania Blvd. N.E. where officers discovered the Star Chase device had been removed from the vehicle.
Officers searched the area for the stolen vehicle and found it unoccupied at a nearby WalMart parking lot at Northeastern and Wyoming Blvd. N.E. They broadcast a description of a male and female who were seen on surveillance cameras exiting the stolen vehicle.
Officers contacted a male and female in the area of the Walmart, at Northeastern and Menaul Blvd. N.E. who matched the description of the couple who exited the stolen vehicle.
Officers detained and spoke to the individuals, explaining that they had to check them for weapons. The male handed over a knife from his pocket, but refused to be patted down. As officers insisted, the male fled on foot.
According to witnesses and video of the incident, the male ran from the police officers, he turned slightly to his left, and produced a handgun. Both officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect. The man, later identified as Eric Padilla, succumbed to his injuries on scene. A firearm was recovered near Padilla.
Suspect: Eric Padilla (8/18/1987)
Involved Officers:
- Officer Max Denerstein, who has been with the department since 2014, has not been involved in any prior officer-involved shootings.
- Officer Christopher Mings, who has been with the department since 2018, has not been involved in any prior officer-involved shootings.
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