17-year-old charged after bullets hit Bernalillo sheriff's vehicle in Tijeras

A 17-year-old man faces criminal charges following a weekend incident in which deputies were shot at in Tijeras.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as a juvenile and declined to name him. He was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon, and negligent use of a firearm.

Deputies arrived at a residence in the 1100 block of N.M. 333 around 3 a.m. Saturday. Initial calls described a disturbance involving multiple people, yelling, threats of violence, and individuals armed with firearms, according to a news release from BCSO spokesperson Jayme Gonzales.

Gonzales stated that officers were speaking with the 17-year-old when another person opened fire toward the deputies. At least one bullet struck a BCSO patrol vehicle. No deputies were hit by gunfire. The teen was arrested hours after the incident, said BCSO spokesperson Gabe Chavez.

A SWAT team was dispatched shortly after the shooting began. Gonzales cited the presence of armed individuals inside the residence and gunfire directed at officers as the reason for the tactical response. Eight people exited the house shortly after the team arrived. A BCSO drone located multiple firearms inside the home.

The incident occurred last weekend in the East Mountains region of the county.