The lie that people are told is that drug crimes are nonviolent, Huffmyer says. However, with a record homicide rate in 2021 (88 according to the City of Albuquerque , And the triple-digit count sets a never-before-seen record. KRQE News 13 previously reported that the citys homicide rate was outpacing previous years and that the crimes tend to happen in certain parts of the city. spoke about why on KRQE News 13s podcast, Rio Bravo Park cleanup will take longer than expected, Gun safety bill passes Senate, faces one more hurdle, Restaurants still struggling to recover from COVID, Roswell PD: Woman steals, drives wrong-way to get, State basketball tournament: Girls first round recap, BCSO: Kids were living in dirty home containing drugs, Local casino hosts National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show, UNM police arrest man for giving false ID, fleeing, Man connected to political shootings to stay behind, Case dismissed for teen accused of taking gun to, Roswell man arrested in shooting of NMSP officers, Rust asst. In December of last year, Kyle Hartsock, the deputy commander overseeing the departments Criminal Investigations Division spoke about why on KRQE News 13s podcast. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP). Lawmakers are once again considering a similar measure that would criminalize negligent gun storage in cases where a child brandishes the weapon or uses it to hurt someone. or redistributed. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) 2022 brought a record number of homicides to Albuquerque. And before then, 41-year-old Aftab Hussein was fatally wounded on July 26, 2022. , VIDEO: Giant I-40 light poles sway in strong ABQ, Taxidermy birds used to make drones at New Mexico, PHOTOS: Storm leaves parts of state covered in snow, PHOTOS: Winter storm moves through NM leaving snow, PHOTOS: Storm causes snowy, icy roads across New, Map: New Mexico Veterans Monuments and Memorials, 13 Broadcast Pl SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The APDs crime data system is dynamic and additional information may be added or refined after the data are sent to the FBI. Albuquerque Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Cecily Barker holds a flyer with photos of a car wanted in connection with Muslim men murdered as Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham looks on in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. Family members told judge that Bennie was missed and that it hurt even more that another child was the one who committed the crime. Its not clear why New Mexico is particularly prone to violence. As a result, violent crime including Albuquerques homicides are the result of what Huffmyer calls a mishmash of complex factors. This list will be updated as new information becomes available. A grand jury indicted him Friday on three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of tampering with evidence. Homicide List as of 17 May 2021. But things like police cameras and bringing police cars to the area, those reduce fear and help catch perpetrators. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The most effective thing about policing is engagement with the community going to neighborhood meetings, interacting with kids, Thomson says. Data from FBI UCR Program. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Since 2016, between six and eight homicides per 100,000 people, each year are estimated to have occurred in New Mexico, according to the FBI data. Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murder Thursday in the But Albuquerques increase is above average according to data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association. Albuquerque homicides now account for more than half of New Mexicos entire yearly homicide count. The Albuquerque Police Department released body camera video of officers arresting the man who is being charged with the murder of two Muslims and suspected of killing two other Muslims. Market data provided by Factset. At the end of December 2022, the All rights reserved. Albuquerque Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Cecily Barker holds a flyer with photos of a car wanted in connection with Muslim men murdered as Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham looks on in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. https://www.cabq.gov/police/documents/apd-homicide-list-for-web-site-as-of-17may2021.pdf/view, https://www.cabq.gov/@@site-logo/seal-small.png, Documents Related to APD Settlement Agreement, Documents Related to APD's Settlement Agreement, McClendon v. City of Albuquerque Settlement, Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Backlog Reduction Project. City officials also have pointed to a lack of consequences for repeat offenders as one of the reasons Albuquerque continues to struggle with crime. While the killings were initially believed to be the work of a serial killer, the involvement of a sex Law enforcement officials in New Mexico identified 51-year-old Muhammad Syed as the primary suspect in a string of killings of Muslim men in Albuquerque over For example, in 2017, during her time as a sergeant, Thomson saw one of the most heinous murders: the murder of John Soyka. Hartsock also pointed out that APD has been working on increasing staffing and getting better technology along with focusing on detective training. The FBI is assisting in the murder investigations. But it is important to note that the numbers in this report differ slightly from the numbers published in the FBI reports. It changed the Hargrove family forever and devastated hundreds of children, parents, school faculty and the community.. Authorities had said the student who shot his classmate brought his fathers gun to school. The previous homicide record of 80 was set just three years earlier, during Mayor Tim Kellers first term. Interactive Slider: New Mexicos homicide rate (estimated from incomplete data) has historically outpaced both neighboring states and the national homicide rate per capita. Syed, the main suspect in the slaying of four Muslim men in Albuquerque has committed regular acts of violence in the six years since he fled war-ravaged Afghanistan and resettled in the United States, according to police documents and court records. And throughout the city, vacant lots and closed buildings continue to be an issue; thats a problem that isnt likely to go away soon. The most recent survey data from 66 police departments across the US show that the majority of those departments have reported an increase in the number of homicides from January to October 2021 compared to the same time frame in 2020. All Rights Reserved. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. We tripled the number of homicide detectives, and we invested $80 million in crime-fighting technology, he said. But there seems to be more to the violence than just illegal drugs. The Metro Crime Initiative brings together all parts of the criminal justice system so we can end the revolving door for repeat offenders and finally strike a balance when it comes to keeping people safe., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. The shooter opened fire during the lunch hour at Washington Middle School in front of numerous students who had returned for the fall semester just two days earlier. Huffmyer also suggests that the dark cloud of administrative pressure and the eminent threat of public persecution can decrease law enforcement effectiveness. This change is important because NIBRS provides more comprehensive and detailed information about crimes against person, crimes against property and crimes against society occurring in law enforcement jurisdictions across the country. Family members of many victims have been frustrated. The Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office is investigating another 11 homicides in the areas surrounding the city. Legal Statement. Anderson also included a photo of a Florida drivers license issued to Shaheen Syed in 2021, contradicting prosecutors' claims that he misrepresented himself as a Florida resident while making a purchase at an Albuquerque gun store. He said in an email to The Associated Press that Albuquerque is in a better position now than most cities because of continued investments in public safety and new violence intervention programs. For years, Albuquerque has had a problem with unsightly property, as reported by KRQE special assignment reporter Gabrielle Burkhart in 2017. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. , One person dead, another hospitalized in SE ABQ shooting, Dancing in the Cave at the University of New Mexico, Whats happening around New Mexico Feb. 24 Mar. Albuquerque is just known for abandoned cars, abandoned property.. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Olympic ticket sales for Paris Games gets off to, 7 Cubs pitchers combine for no-hitter vs Machado,, Mikal Bridges helps Nets rally to stun Celtics, 115-105, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard, U.S. jury poised to weigh international soccers, APD remains tight-lipped on weekend homicide in Nob Hill, found in the street with two gunshot wounds near Girard and Garfield on Sunday, housesitting when someone confronted him in the driveway, Rio Bravo Park cleanup will take longer than expected, Gun safety bill passes Senate, faces one more hurdle, Restaurants still struggling to recover from COVID, Roswell PD: Woman steals, drives wrong-way to get, State basketball tournament: Girls first round recap, BCSO: Kids were living in dirty home containing drugs, Local casino hosts National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show, UNM police arrest man for giving false ID, fleeing, More from KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos, Man connected to political shootings to stay behind, Safety improvements proposed for Nob Hill corridor, NM businesses are feeling impact of Pion shortage, CDC: Baby death linked to contaminated breast pump, Whats happening around New Mexico Mar. Paul Best is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Olympic ticket sales for Paris Games gets off to, 7 Cubs pitchers combine for no-hitter vs Machado,, Mikal Bridges helps Nets rally to stun Celtics, 115-105, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard, U.S. jury poised to weigh international soccers, Candlelight vigil to bring attention to homicide, APD begins new initiative to tackle violent crime, New Albuquerque coffee shop suffers from back-to-back, Albuquerque has had a problem with unsightly property, recently focusing on a Montgomery neighborhood, force-policy reforms, community oversight, and additional training requirements, Rio Bravo Park cleanup will take longer than expected, Gun safety bill passes Senate, faces one more hurdle, Restaurants still struggling to recover from COVID, Roswell PD: Woman steals, drives wrong-way to get, State basketball tournament: Girls first round recap, BCSO: Kids were living in dirty home containing drugs, Local casino hosts National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show, UNM police arrest man for giving false ID, fleeing, More from KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos, Man connected to political shootings to stay behind, Safety improvements proposed for Nob Hill corridor, NM businesses are feeling impact of Pion shortage, CDC: Baby death linked to contaminated breast pump, Whats happening around New Mexico Mar. Police, however, are still being tight-lipped about any possible suspects. WebThe West Mesa Murders are the killings of eleven women whose remains were found buried in 2009 in the desert on the West Mesa of Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States.Several suspects have been named, but none were arrested or charged. Its been a tough year, Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina told reporters at a November 8 news conference. Legal Statement. Whats driving New Mexicos Fentanyl Crisis? View Albuquerque crime mapping information. So one could argue that that was a drug-related crime, Thomson says. An Afghan refugee who was already facing two murder charges for the recent slayings of two Muslim men in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was indicted on a third count Friday for allegedly killing another man who had just attended funeral services for the other two victims on Aug. 5. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The guns were seized during a search of the family's home; and testing determined bullet casings found at the July 25 and Aug. 1 shootings matched the rifle that belonged to Muhammad Syed. Shaheen Syed, 21, pictured in a 2021 Florida drivers license photo included in court documents. Albuquerque Homicides: Why are there so many? That put Albuquerque in the top 10 most violent cities with populations over 100,000 people. (U.S. District Court/AP). 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to a suspect, and urged anyone with information related to the killings to call Crime Stoppers at (505) 843-STOP (7867) orsubmit tips here. ALBUQUERQUE POLICE RELEASE BODY CAM VIDEO OF MAN SUSPECTED OF MURDERING MUSLIM MEN BEING ARRESTED, And before then, 41-year-old Aftab Hussein was fatally wounded on July 26, 2022. "The evidence that agents have been able to gather thus far in this rapidly unfolding investigation is obviously alarming with respect to the defendants short and frequent communications with his father both before and after the murder of Naeem Hussain," the motion stated. The City assumes no responsibility for the content of the material contained at that site or for the accuracy of any information that is found there. The average has risen in the past few years, according to federal crime data. By this time last year, there were only 18. Additionally, APD has added new detectives to the homicide unit. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. (City of Espaola via AP, File). As for why there were more homicides in 2022, Hartsock explained that theres no single, clear answer. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The middle school shooting spurred legislation that ended up stalling during last years session. Albuquerque police and the FBI are investigating three recent murders of Muslim men for possible ties to the same offender, according to Albuquerque police. Central Avenue, for example, is just infamous for being sort of the seedier part of Albuquerque. And sure enough, in recent years homicides have clustered near Central especially between EXPO New Mexico and Eubank. Albuquerque police release body camera video of murder suspect being arrested. Both men were killed near Central Avenue in southeast Albuquerque, police said. The teen was initially charged with an open count of murder and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon on school premises. In the past, she says, it was easy to point the finger at political scapegoats or at gang violence. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. director wont appear in Santa Fe for, Hobbs woman sentenced for stealing car with kids, New Mexico man accused of sex crime against student, Elderly man who killed sister takes plea deal, Data shows shootings, other reports at Adam Food, ABQ man arrested after a fight broke out at Main, FBI finds guns in felons Albuquerque home, Suspect charged in murder of 15-yr-old Gallup boy, ABQ man takes plea deal for road rage incident, More from KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos, Safety improvements proposed for Nob Hill corridor, NM businesses are feeling impact of Pion shortage, CDC: Baby death linked to contaminated breast pump, Whats happening around New Mexico Mar. Without fail, they all said, weve been hamstrung; weve been effectively neutered from being able to do our job.'. The Albuquerque Police Department will be increasing its "police presence near mosques and Muslim affiliate schools," Keller wrote on Twitter. Homicides are generally concentrated in communities that have chronically high levels of firearm violence, disparities, racial and ethnic disparities, segregation, underemployment, [and] poverty, says Christopher Lyons, a professor of sociology at the University of New Mexico. APD sends NIBRS data to the FBI on a semiannual basis and this data is based on the reports available at that point in time. FILE - Family members wait to pick up students after a fatal shooting at Washington Middle School in Albuquerque, N.M., on Aug. 13, 2021. Albuquerque has had more than one homicide over beer pong, she says to illustrate her point. In recent years, the data showed that inane, petty disputes increasingly sparked killings. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.pagones@fox.com and on Twitter: @steph_pagones. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. The average police department saw a 7% rise in homicides, the data shows. In December, the city named 14 people to its gun violence prevention and intervention task force to come up with recommendations over the next 12 months. This link will take you to a site over which the City of Albuquerque has no control. At the time, the city was on pace to shatter its homicide record and top officials described the violence as a scourge. But, there are mixed feelings on the effectiveness of simply increasing police presence in troubled areas. In 2018, the Albuquerque Police Department began reporting crime statistics using the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). And the problem extends far beyond Central. The data in citywide crime statistics report is based on the official data that APD sends to the FBI. Just days after the most recent murder of a Muslim man rocked a community already on edge, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said the City is extending its police efforts beyond the investigation into the slayings and person or people behind them. The shooting of 62-year-old Afghan migrant Mohammad Ahmadi on November 7, 2021, in the parking lot of a halal supermarket he ran is the fourth killing that detectives are trying to determine if it is related to the more recent homicides, Albuquerque said. Huffmyer explains that because crime data from different jurisdictions and different times fall under different reporting standards, the data that does exist comes from a flawed collection method. On top of that, the sociology of crime is complex, to put it lightly. Data from CABQ/APD. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. And yes, they can be violent, she explains, yet during her time as sergeant, not one single year was gang-related homicide ever a major [crime] category, she says. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) There were more than 100 homicides in Albuquerque this year. Rather, homicides were often simply disputes that spun out of control. By this time last year, there were only 18. Syeds attorney argued that prosecutors gave no indication of the size of the area that his phone was in relative to the shooting. (Robert Browman/The Albuquerque Journal via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. The 311 Community Contact Center is a centralized call center for the City of Albuquerque. While homicides cluster along Central Avenue, this year brought violent crime to many different neighborhoods. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via AP). All rights reserved. The four menall Muslimand from South Asia were ambushed, shot, and killed in Albuquerque since November 2021. Authorities have yet to confirm that information. Albuquerque recorded 76 murders in 2020, four fewer than in 2019. 2021 was a record-breaking year for homicides in Albuquerque with 114, the first homicide happened on Jan. 8 and the last Dec. 31. MURDERS IN ALBUQUERQUE MUSLIM COMMUNITY: NEW MEXICO OFFICIALS OFFERING $20K REWARD FOR INFO LEADING TO KILLER, Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Court documents state that two guns purchased by Syed and his father at an Albuquerque gun store in July had been partially painted white. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT SAID HE WAS GOING TO TEXAS TO FIND NEW HOME, REFERENCED 'SHOOTING OF MUSLIMS': COPS. Police believe three recent murders and a murder that happened on Nov. 7, 2021, could be potentially connected. Casings found at one of the crime scenes also matched a handgun found in the elder Syed's vehicle when he was taken into custody, according to a criminal complaint. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via AP). But Gallegos says that while public distrust of APD certainly exists, it isnt a big hinderance to APDs ability to investigate violent crime. Ahmadi was from Afghanistan, police said. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The sooner people recognize that there is not one circumstance that is causing this, the better, Huffmyer says. Neighboring states, such as Arizona and Texas, have seen an estimated five to six homicides per 100,000 people each year. He had just attended the funerals for the two other recent victims. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP). Just having a police car patrolling in a neighborhood on a regular basis acts as a deterrent, he says. Four men all from South Asia and all of whom practice the Muslim faith have been ambushed, shot and killed since November 2021, police have said. In fact, the Albuquerque Police Department counted 10 more homicides than in 2021, the previous record-setting year. ALBUQUERQUE POLICE REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING VEHICLE OF INTEREST IN MURDERS OF FOUR MUSLIM MEN. Legal Statement. By JEFFREY COLLINS and JAMES POLLARD, Associated Press. Legal Statement. The boy will remain in state custody until hes 21, the maximum sentence allowed for a child under New Mexico law. While 2022 brought more homicides, APD also says theyve solved more cases in 2022 than in 2021. NIBRS is the most current national framework for reporting crime and replaces the FBIs Summary Reporting System (SRS). 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Statistics released by Chicago police over the weekend listed 797 homicides 25 more than were recorded in 2020 and the most since 1996. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The Associated Press does not generally identify juvenile crime suspects. SON OF AFGHAN ALLEGED GUNMAN IN But this year also brought homicides at hotels near Los Altos neighborhood near Lomas and Wyoming, a few on the West Side, and a couple of homicides near the Heights. 443.0 KB, For non-emergency police calls, call 505-242-COPS. Keller has acknowledged the challenges for New Mexicos largest city. Market data provided by Factset. Ten minutes after the shooting, the motion states the men shared a second call as their phones remained in the "general area of the murder.". You start to look deeper and you realize: Is it really the drugs? Albuquerque Community Connect Camera Registry and Integration. 2023 The City of Albuquerque. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. John Anderson, Shaheen Syeds attorneysaid in court filings that the allegations against his client were "thin and speculative.". Shaheen Syed, left, possibly helped his father, Muhammad Syed, right, surveillance one of his alleged victims. Market data provided by Factset. We are falling in line with a lot of the other major, big cities, he said. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. All rights reserved. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Stephanie Pagones is a Digital Reporter for FOX Business and Fox News. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) New Mexico is no stranger to violent crime, but so far this years homicide count is outpacing the average of the last two years by about 75%. Tuesday marked four days since police received word of their most recent murder. FILE - This Aug. 9, 2020, still image taken from officer video provided by the Albuquerque Police Department shows the arrest of Muhammad Syed. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP). (Credit: Albuquerque Police Department). Albuquerque police have detained and charged a man they say is the primary suspect in the killings of four Muslim men, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina tweeted Tuesday. The contents of any site or link not maintained by the City does not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of the City of Albuquerque, its officials, agents or employees. That puts Albuquerque in the top 10 most violent cities with populations of over 100,000 people. Albuquerque Community Connect Camera Registry and Integration.