Police probe fatal shooting of teen in Central Avenue dispute

Albuquerque Police Department homicide detectives are investigating the death of a 17-year-old girl who was shot Saturday evening in a neighborhood dispute near Central Avenue.

The incident occurred around 4 p.m. in the area of Tennessee and Copper NE, northwest of Central and Wyoming, according to APD spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos.

Police responded to reports of a shooting and heard a gunshot as they arrived. At that moment, the mother of the 10-year-old boy involved in the dispute stepped out of an apartment holding a handgun. Officers fired at her but missed, and she surrendered. No officers were injured.

Gallegos stated that the conflict began when two women argued over loud music. Several people were involved in the scuffle. As the two mothers fought, the 10-year-old boy and the 17-year-old girl attempted to separate them. The boy then entered the residence and returned with a firearm.

The boy fired the gun once, striking the teenage girl. She died at the scene. Gallegos noted that police do not currently know how the boy obtained the gun or what his intent was when he fired.

The boy’s mother, the boy, and the other individuals involved in the argument have all been detained. The mother faces charges related to the police interaction. The 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office is working with APD to determine if the 10-year-old will be charged.

A separate investigation by the Multi-Agency Task Force is examining the police shooting. Gallegos said prosecutors must decide what charges apply to the child given his age.