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APD releases details of recent officer-involved shooting

ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department released details today of an officer-involved shooting on July 21, 2022 at an apartment complex in Northwest Albuquerque.

 

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT

Date of Incident: July 21, 2022

Location: 10600 Cibola Lp NW

 

 

DV Incident Prior to Police Arrival

 

Through investigation, detectives learned that Wendel Tagle was engaged in a verbal argument with his wife inside of their apartment during the morning hours of July 21, 2022.

 

As the argument escalated, Wendel’s wife said Wendel began to speak to imaginary people he believed to be inside the apartment Wendel’s wife stated she feared for her safety and attempted to get away from Wendel. She said he grabbed her and strangled her near the couch in her living room.

 

As Wendel’s wife struggled to free herself, his firearm discharged inside of the apartment. Wendel’s wife said she feared for her life, and she was able to convince Wendel that they should exit the apartment to inform the neighbors that they are ok.

 

Once outside, Wendel grabbed his wife from behind and attempted to drag her back into the apartment. During this time, Wendel’s wife tried to break herself from his grip when his firearm discharged a second time, striking her in the leg.

 

After the being shot, Wendel’s wife ran down the flight of stairs and Wendel followed her. As she fled from Wendel, she was yelling for help. She later told detectives she thought Wendel was going to kill her. She was able to seek a safe place to hide from Wendel until police officers arrived.

 

During this incident, Wendel pointed his firearm at several individuals in the apartment complex, including an APD sergeant as he arrived at the scene.

 

Officer-Involved Shooting

 

Several witnesses called 911 about a male at the apartment complex with a firearm and a female who was shot. Several officers responded to the complex, including an APD sergeant who said Wendel pointed a firearm at him as he arrived.

 

Officers identified themselves. Officer Robert Sanchez arrived on scene and utilized a vehicle in the parking lot as cover as he gave verbal commands for Wendel to drop the firearm.

 

Officer Sanchez later told detectives that as he gave Wendel commands to drop the firearm, Wendel was holding the firearm in his hand and waving the firearm in the air. Officer Sanchez said Wendel brought the firearm down and gained a “sight picture” of Officer Sanchez. Officer Sanchez discharged his firearm, striking Wendel at least four times in the upper torso area. 

 

Following the shooting, officers approached Wendel and provided medical assistance. Wendel succumbed to his wounds and died at the scene.

 

Another officer collected Wendel’s firearm and placed it inside of his police unit.

 

 

Subject: Wendel Bryan Tagle, 43

 

Involved Officer:

  • Robert Sanchez, who has been with the department since 2015, has been involved in one prior officer-involved shooting in 2018.

 

Over the next several months, APD will continue to investigate and analyze this incident. Detectives will continue interviewing any new witnesses that come forward and complete any forensic tests. After the investigation is complete, APD’s Force Review Board will forward the findings to the Superintendent of Police Reform to determine if this incident met the high standards of the Albuquerque Police Department. The Multi-Agency Task Force will forward its case to the District Attorney’s Office to make any determination of criminal charges.

 

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