APD identifies suspect involved in northeast Albuquerque shooting
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting Wednesday morning near Tramway Boulevard, east of the I-25 frontage road, south of Sandia Casino. According to the Albuquerque Police Department, officers were conducting surveillance on a person who had outstanding warrants Tuesday night and eventually tracked the suspect to Sandia Casino.
APD states that when officers stopped the suspect’s vehicle using a grappler, two women got out of the car and were arrested. Police say the male suspect inside the vehicle, later identified by police as Nicolas Roach, tried to escape, dragging the grappler more than 20 feet before confronting officers. “At one point in time during the confrontation…officers reported hearing shots from the vehicle the suspect was in and returned fire toward that vehicle,” said Chief Harold Medina.
According to police, detectives attempted to use less-lethal options to stop Roach. Four officers exchanged gunfire with Roach, who was shot. He was taken to the hospital and is in critical condition, but stable. No officers involved were injured.
The shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Detectives executed a search warrant on the vehicle and discovered a handgun and bullet casings inside the car.
Roach, 35, will be booked on an existing arrest warrant when he is released from the hospital. According to APD, detectives attempted to detain Roach on Tuesday as part of an auto theft investigation.
Detectives are expected to file additional charges for Tuesday’s incident.
