View Albuquerque crime mapping information. The lie that people are told is that drug crimes are nonviolent, Huffmyer says. Detectives on Thursday determined there is a connection between the Aug. 1, 2022, murder of Muhammed Afzaal Hussain, 27, and the July 26, 2022, murder of Aftab Police said the victim 13-year-old Bennie Hargrove was trying to protect another boy who was being bullied. And in Albuquerque, it has always been a huge obstacle.. That put Albuquerque in the top 10 most violent All rights reserved. In fact, the Albuquerque Police Department counted 10 more homicides than in 2021, the previous record-setting year. As of April 18, 2021, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) recorded 35 homicides across the city. "The United States motion boils down to an effort to detain defendant for a crime with which he has not even been charged," Anderson argued, referring to the slayings of the Muslim men. Without fail, they all said, weve been hamstrung; weve been effectively neutered from being able to do our job.'. The official website for the City of Albuquerque. Albuquerque, however, has seen a bigger rise in homicides than many similarly-sized cities, according to data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association, a group that represents police executives in large cities across the US. The 311 Community Contact Center is a centralized call center for the City of Albuquerque. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. ALBUQUERQUE POLICE REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING VEHICLE OF INTEREST IN MURDERS OF FOUR MUSLIM MEN. This was a terrible tragedy for everyone involved, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said in a statement Thursday. Its not clear why New Mexico is particularly prone to violence. So one could argue that that was a drug-related crime, Thomson says. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Some of those are drug deals gone wrong. , 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. People see a camera and they feel better, but cameras dont necessarily prevent crime, she says. 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. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Albuquerque recorded 76 murders in 2020, four fewer than in 2019. As of April 18, 2021, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) recorded 35 homicides across the city. In 2018, the Albuquerque Police Department began reporting crime statistics using the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Incident-Based Reporting 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. However, with a record homicide rate in 2021 (88 according to the City of Albuquerque, as of October 1), the four year-average under Mayor Tim Keller is on track to surpass the previous administrations homicide rate by 65%. Before those three shootings, 62-year-old Mohammad Ahmadi was discovered shot and killed in the rear parking lot of a halal caf he owned with his brother in November 2021. But Gallegos says that while public distrust of APD certainly exists, it isnt a big hinderance to APDs ability to investigate violent crime. Prosecutors claim that Shaheen Syed spoke with his father when his phone was somewhere in the general area of the Islamic Center of New Mexico and soon after his fathers phone pinged in an area that included Lutheran Family Services. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. (U.S. District Court/AP). Across the country, many police departments are reporting an increase in homicides. According to the Albuquerque Journal, 27-year-old Muhammed Afzaal Hussain was shot and killed on Aug. 1, while 41-year-old Aftab Hussein was killed on July 26. Both were also Muslim and from Pakistan. In the past, she says, it was easy to point the finger at political scapegoats or at gang violence. Young people are getting together usually through social media to sell a small amount of drugs or guns, Gallegos says, and they meet up somewhere and the one party robs the other party and then it turns into a shooting or homicide. Not all of Albuquerques homicides start this way, but recently APD has seen more of these kinds of homicides, Gallegos says. Former FBI investigator Bill Daly breaks down the case as law enforcement investigates the attack. It was horrific, Thomson recalls. A spokesperson for the Islamic Center of New Mexico did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment. 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. He acknowledged over the summer that the city would surely surpass 100 killings in 2021, and he remains under pressure to address the problem as he starts his second term. And the problem extends far beyond Central. Over the past 35 years, Albuquerques yearly homicide count has averaged about 45 homicides per year, KRQE reported. 2023 The City of Albuquerque. Information about Albuquerque crime statistics: https://www.cabq.gov/police/crime-statistics, 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. 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. Hartsock also pointed out that APD has been working on increasing staffing and getting better technology along with focusing on detective training. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP). But in the last few years, that average rose, reaching a new high this year, according to data from the FBI. But Aneela Abad, general secretary for the Islamic Center of New Mexico, told The Associated Press the community is grappling not only with the losses, but also the fear and confusion. The City will also be working with the police departments serving the University of New Mexico and the Albuquerque Public School system, working to ensure students are safely returning to their respective campuses, Keller wrote. 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. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Theyre up to 16 detectives and two sergeants, a number Liz Thomson says is a reasonable amount to handle Albuquerques homicide caseload. 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. All rights reserved. Additionally, APD has added new detectives to the homicide unit. (City of Espaola via AP, File). That count exceeds the 2021 record of 110 homicides counted by APD. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT SAID HE WAS GOING TO TEXAS TO FIND NEW HOME, REFERENCED 'SHOOTING OF MUSLIMS': COPS. 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. Its not just in spite of our challenges, but because of them, he said after being sworn in Saturday. Prosecutors also presented prior police reports of Shaheen Syed allegedly beating his father and sister and an unrelated incident in which he and his brother were allegedly involved in a shooting outside a Walmart. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. The son of a New Mexico man suspected of gunning down four Muslim men over the course of several months will remain in custody pending trial for allegedly using a bogus address to buy a gun last year. Tuesday marked four days since police received word of their most recent murder. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP, File). (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via AP). , 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. Interactive Slider: New Mexicos homicide rate (estimated from incomplete data) has historically outpaced both neighboring states and the national homicide rate per capita. A 14-year-old New Mexico boy accused of shooting and killing a classmate in 2021 has pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree murder, prosecutors said Thursday, March 2, 2023. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Albuquerque is just known for abandoned cars, abandoned property.. At the time, the city was on pace to shatter its homicide record and top officials described the violence as a scourge. A grand jury indicted him Friday on three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of tampering with evidence. Data from FBI UCR. Family members told judge that Bennie was missed and that it hurt even more that another child was the one who committed the crime. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.pagones@fox.com and on Twitter: @steph_pagones. Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murder Thursday in the 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Four Muslim men murdered in New Mexico, FBI called in for support. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Other U.S. cities also saw increases in homicide numbers over the past year. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT SAID HE WAS GOING TO TEXAS TO FIND NEW HOME, REFERENCED 'SHOOTING OF MUSLIMS': COPS. Some worked to bring attention to gun violence through a national memorial effort in the fall. Shaheen Syed, 21, appeared in U.S. district court in Albuquerque on Monday, with the judge granting a motion by federal prosecutors to keep him behind bars pending the ongoing investigation into the deaths of four Muslim victims dating back to November 2021. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. but officials have called him the "most likely" suspect in the murders of Naeem Hussain and 62-year-old Muhammad Zahir. As for why there were more homicides in 2022, Hartsock explained that theres no single, clear answer. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP). Homicide data from APD; map data from UNM RGIS/US Census, Its just a part of Albuquerque that looks like theres no oversight there. , New Mexico man accused of sex crime against student, One person dead, another hospitalized in SE ABQ shooting, Case dismissed for teen accused of taking gun to, Dancing in the Cave at the University of New Mexico, Whats happening around New Mexico Feb. 24 Mar. 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. Market data provided by Factset. The most recent murder took place on Friday evening, when Naeem Hussain, from Pakistan, was discovered fatally woundedin the area of Truman Street and Grand Avenue. Shaheen Syed, left, possibly helped his father, Muhammad Syed, right, surveillance one of his alleged victims. Market data provided by Factset. Albuquerque Police: Man shoots self, unintentionally kills woman Police say a man shot himself and unintentionally killed a woman when the bullet passed through his 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A 14-year-old New Mexico boy accused of shooting and killing a classmate in 2021 has pleaded no contest to a charge of second 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 car in question, a four-door dark gray or silver-colored Volkswagen sedan, bears tinted windows and is possibly a Jetta. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Market data provided by Factset. Both men were killed near Central Avenue in southeast Albuquerque, police said. Police believe three recent murders and a murder that happened on Nov. 7, 2021, could be potentially connected. (Credit: Albuquerque Police Department). 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. Statistics released by Chicago police over the weekend listed 797 homicides 25 more than were recorded in 2020 and the most since 1996. , New Mexico man accused of sex crime against student, One person dead, another hospitalized in SE ABQ shooting, Case dismissed for teen accused of taking gun to, Dancing in the Cave at the University of New Mexico, Whats happening around New Mexico Feb. 24 Mar. Market data provided by Factset. Legal Statement. , New Mexico man accused of sex crime against student, One person dead, another hospitalized in SE ABQ shooting, Case dismissed for teen accused of taking gun to, Dancing in the Cave at the University of New Mexico, Whats happening around New Mexico Feb. 24 Mar. By August, Albuquerque had already equaled its record for homicides with 81, set in 2019. The motivation for that crime boils down to stolen marijuana and money. The rise in fentanyl deals may also contribute, according to Hartsock. Squabbles over drugs and not necessarily large amounts of drugs have often led to homicides in the past. Paul Best is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. And throughout the city, vacant lots and closed buildings continue to be an issue; thats a problem that isnt likely to go away soon. ' she says. As a result, violent crime including Albuquerques homicides are the result of what Huffmyer calls a mishmash of complex factors. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. FILE - This Aug. 9, 2020, still image taken from officer video provided by the Albuquerque Police Department shows the arrest of Muhammad Syed. We tripled the number of homicide detectives, and we invested $80 million in crime-fighting technology, he said. 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. The shooting happened during the lunch hour at the school in front of numerous students who had returned for the fall semester just two days earlier. It looks like nobody cares, Thomson says. There is no doubt that we face a tough road ahead. We know this from exit interviews of officers who have retired or left departments, he says. 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. Homicides, of course, contribute to the violent reputation. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 3 Mar. This file photo released Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, by the Albuquerque Police Department shows Muhammad Syed. 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. 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.". Four men in total all Muslims from South Asia were ambushed, shot, and killed in Albuquerque since November 2021. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. The Albuquerque Police Department reports 64-year-old Karl Jurisson was found in the street with two gunshot wounds near Girard and Garfield on Sunday. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Many police departments saw an increase in homicides this year. It changed the Hargrove family forever and devastated hundreds of children, parents, school faculty and the community.. Several months before that, on Nov. 7, 2021, 62-year-old Mohammad Ahmadi was discovered shot and killed in the rear parking lot of a halal caf he owned with his brother on San Mateo Boulevard, according to city officials and local affiliate KRQE-TV. 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. In the first three quarters of 2021, Albuquerque had 111 violent crimes per 10,000 people, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). A motive has not been offered by prosecutors, but police said an "interpersonal conflict" may have led to the shootings. The 311 Community Contact Center is a centralized call center for the City of Albuquerque. 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, 2022 brought a record number of homicides. The average has risen in the past few years, according to federal crime data. New Mexicos violent crime rate (also estimated) far outpaces our neighbors. 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. The Albuquerque Police Department will be increasing its "police presence near mosques and Muslim affiliate schools," Keller wrote on Twitter. A funeral service was held for Aftab Hussein, 41, and Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, at the Islamic Center of New Mexico on Friday. Hartsock also notes that the department instituted regular check-ins on open murder cases to help come up with new ideas into investigations. He had just attended the funerals for the two other recent victims. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, But there seems to be more to the violence than just illegal drugs. In December of last year, Kyle Hartsock, the deputy commander overseeing the departments Criminal Investigations Division spoke about why on KRQE News 13s podcast. Adding to the homicide team wont prevent homicides, APDs Gilbert Gallegos says. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Police Chief Harold Medina has repeatedly said changes in the judicial system are needed. For example, in 2017, during her time as a sergeant, Thomson saw one of the most heinous murders: the murder of John Soyka. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.pagones@fox.com and on Twitter: @steph_pagones. A ShotSpotter activation showed 13 gunshots were fired, following by additional rounds, in the area of 417 Rhode Island Street, police documents show. However, with a record homicide rate in 2021 (88 according to the City of Albuquerque , So far this year, there has been an uptick in the number of homicides at motels and hotels. Rather, homicides were often simply disputes that spun out of control. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This undated file photo released by the City of Espaola shows Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, a planning and land use director who was killed in Albuquerque, N.M., on Aug. 1, 2022. That includes Chicago, which marked one of its most violent years on record. Keller has acknowledged the challenges for New Mexicos largest city. An Imam leads a group of men during the Dhuhr afternoon prayer at the Islamic Center of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, after the fourth Muslim man was murdered in the city. And he points to the drug trade as a source of violence across New Mexico. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The 311 service is a single telephone number for all non-emergency City of Albuquerque inquiries and services. The most recent murder took place on By this time last year, there were only 18. (U.S. District Court), A reporter asked at a press conference earlier this month if Syed, a Sunni Muslim, could have been driven by anger that his daughter married a Shiite Muslim. What should I do if I am stopped by a police officer? With the help of an interpreter, he "denied having any involvement in the murders in this case," thecriminal complaint alleges. The most effective thing about policing is engagement with the community going to neighborhood meetings, interacting with kids, Thomson says. In their motion, prosecutors pointed to cellphone records that they say show Syed possibly helped his father track Naeem Hussain, a 25-year-old man from Pakistan who was fatally shot on Aug. 5 in the parking lot of a refugee resettlement agency in southeast Albuquerque. Albuquerque police and the FBI are investigating three recent murders of Muslim men for possible ties to the same offender, according to Albuquerque police. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Now, the APD is about 200 officers short of being fully staffed, he adds. By JEFFREY COLLINS and JAMES POLLARD, Associated Press. Crime Statistics Our Department Officer Wellness Internal Affairs Behavioral Sciences Section Sexual Assault Evidence Kit But, there are mixed feelings on the effectiveness of simply increasing police presence in troubled areas. 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. Albuquerques homicide count rose by about 30% in that time. Data from CABQ/APD. We are falling in line with a lot of the other major, big cities, he said. This year began with more homicides than in 2020 and 2019. On Aug. 1, the third victim, local city planner Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, was gunned down in the area of Cornell Drive Southeast and Garfield Avenue Southeast, police said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, This link will take you to a site over which the City of Albuquerque has no control. In the first three quarters of 2021, Albuquerque had 111 violent crimes per 10,000 people, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Syed, the suspect, has "denied having any involvement in the murders in this case," according to a criminal complaint. So ultimately, there are no easy answers to explain why New Mexico is such a violent place. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT TRIES TO SPEAK IN COURT; FAMILY REPORTEDLY SAYS HE WAS HOME AT TIME OF SLAYINGS. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) 2022 brought a record number of homicides to Albuquerque. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A 14-year-old New Mexico boy accused of shooting and killing a classmate in 2021 has pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree murder, prosecutors said Thursday. Over the last few years, an influx of police-related scandals and Department of Justice scrutiny has led to the shutdown of APD programs and the shrinkage of APDs staff, Gallegos says. Huffmyer goes even further and points to the implementation of Department of Justice reforms including use of force-policy reforms, community oversight, and additional training requirements as a driver of violent crime in Albuquerque. , 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. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP, File), Albuquerque police release body camera video of murder suspect being arrested. His father, 51-year-old Muhammad Syed, has so far been charged with murder for two of the slayings the deaths of Muhammad Afzaal Hussain and Aftab Hussein. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP, File). Data from FBI UCR Program. or redistributed. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!