In the past week, the Albuquerque Police Department has responded to three crashes in the city, resulting in two pedestrian deaths.
There was also an arrest made in a fatal stabbing, a drug-trafficking arrest, and two people were charged in a 2017 murder case. And APD officers shot and killed someone they said was threatening others with a gun.
Fatal crashes
On Jan. 23, APD’s Fatal Crash Team investigated a crash and found a pedestrian deceased on scene. According to APD, the vehicle was traveling east on Central Ave when a pedestrian ran into traffic and the driver could not avoid hitting them. Officers determined driver impairment or speed were not factors in the crash and it was due to pedestrian error.
The following day, on Jan. 24, officers responded to two more crashes, one involving a city bus. Officers responded to the scene on 1st St. and Gold Ave, SW, and found a pedestrian who suffered from critical injuries. He was transported to the hospital and is currently stable.
Through investigation, it was determined that the pedestrian was on a skateboard and entered the intersection on a red light and struck the side of the bus on the driver’s side. Investigators said there was no indication of fault from the driver.
On 4th St. and Guadalupe Trail, NW, APD’s Fatal Crash Team responded to a fatal hit and run. According to officers, the vehicle struck the pedestrian and fled the scene. Rescue personnel attempted life-saving measures, but the pedestrian died at the scene. Officers are still investigating.
Officer-involved shooting
On Jan. 25, APD shot and killed a man they say was armed with a gun. Officers responded to the Love’s Travel Stop on 6th St. after receiving multiple calls that a man was threatening people with a handgun. According to APD, the man pointed his handgun at the officers and one officer fired. The man was transported to the hospital but later died.
Arrests
On Jan. 26, APD homicide detectives arrested Ethan Sheppard at the Golden Pride at 1830 Lomas Blvd. NE, in the fatal stabbing of a coworker. Detectives determined that Sheppard confronted his coworker, Justin Husted, and pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the neck. Officers arrived on scene and found Sheppard in his car across the street, where they arrested and charged him with an open count of murder. Husted was transported to the hospital where he died.
Later on Jan. 26, APD arrested and charged Lindsey Archer, 38, with three counts of trafficking; she also had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. APD’s Field Services Bureau responded to a call at 5020 Ellison NE, that claimed Archer was allowing homeless individuals inside her hotel room and smoking fentanyl around her young child. At the scene, APD’s narcotics unit discovered 572 fentanyl pills, 15 grams of methamphetamine, 17 oxycodone pills, 87 grams of marijuana and a digital scale.
APD solves 2017 case
Six years ago, on April 30, 2017, Jon Paul Carabajal was shot and killed at the Stardust Skies Park. According to APD, Daisy Ortiz, 26, lured Carabajal to the park to sell her drugs. Detectives said that Ortiz and her boyfriend at the time, Marco Martza, 26, planned to rob Carabajal at the park. Ortiz denied meeting Carabajal or going to the park.
Detectives secured a search warrant for the home of one of the suspects on Rhode Island St., SE, and recovered two handguns which they say allowed them to conclude Ortiz and Martza planned to rob Carabajal and he was shot in the commission of robbery. On Jan. 26, Ortiz and Martza were charged with an open count of murder, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.