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). And a lot of the homicides have occurred in hotels and motels, he says. ALBUQUERQUE POLICE, FBI INVESTIGATING POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN FOUR MURDERED MUSLIM MEN. Albuquerque homicides now account for more than half of the entire states yearly homicide count. All rights reserved. While the killings were initially believed to be the work of a serial killer, the involvement of a sex Police believe three recent murders and a murder that happened on Nov. 7, 2021, could be potentially connected. 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. , 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 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Yet, I can pretty honestly say that I believe Chase Smotherman would have become violent if they had stolen his garden tools.. People see a camera and they feel better, but cameras dont necessarily prevent crime, she says. Albuquerque is just known for abandoned cars, abandoned property.. 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. The boy will remain in state custody until hes 21, the maximum sentence allowed for a child under New Mexico law. Crime Statistics Our Department Officer Wellness Internal Affairs Behavioral Sciences Section Sexual Assault Evidence Kit ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) New Mexicos largest city recorded 117 killings in 2021, shattering its previous homicide record by 46%. Now, the APD is about 200 officers short of being fully staffed, he adds. The most recent murder took place on 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. Investigators said they think those three murders happened in Grants, and Lannon is accused of killing a fourth man in Albuquerque. 443.0 KB, For non-emergency police calls, call 505-242-COPS. All rights reserved. Syed's son, 21-year-old Shaheen Syed, is also behind bars for allegedly providing a false address when he purchased a gun in June 2021. Still, Medina is hopeful. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) There were more than 100 homicides in Albuquerque this year. Data from APD. The teen was initially charged with an open count of murder and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon on school premises. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 3 Mar. Family members told judge that Bennie was missed and that it hurt even more that another child was the one who committed the crime. All rights reserved. Early in the year, Albuquerque or redistributed. ' she says. Albuquerque homicides now account for more than half of New Mexicos entire yearly homicide count. On Aug. 1, the third victim, local city planner Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, was gunned down, police said. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Other U.S. cities also saw increases in homicide numbers over the past year. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via AP). This link will take you to a site over which the City of Albuquerque has no control. And he points to the drug trade as a source of violence across New Mexico. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Its similar populations, its similar locations in Albuquerque every year, he says. But in the last few years, that average rose, reaching a new high this year, according to data from the FBI. 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. 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. 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. Authorities have yet to confirm that information. As for why there were more homicides in 2022, Hartsock explained that theres no single, clear answer. Shaheen Syed, left, possibly helped his father, Muhammad Syed, right, surveillance one of his alleged victims. 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 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. For example, in 2017, during her time as a sergeant, Thomson saw one of the most heinous murders: the murder of John Soyka. 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. And before then, 41-year-old Aftab Hussein was fatally wounded on July 26, 2022. Yes, we have gangs. Ahmadi was from Afghanistan, police said. The Associated Press does not generally identify juvenile crime suspects. What should I do if I am stopped by a police officer? The official website for the City of Albuquerque. In fact, the Albuquerque Police Department counted 10 more homicides than in 2021, the previous record-setting year. So ultimately, there are no easy answers to explain why New Mexico is such a violent place. 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. But, there are mixed feelings on the effectiveness of simply increasing police presence in troubled areas. That put Albuquerque in the top 10 most violent cities with populations over 100,000 people. And in Albuquerque, it has always been a huge obstacle.. The motivation for that crime boils down to stolen marijuana and money. Shaheen Syed, 21, pictured in a 2021 Florida drivers license photo included in court documents. He had just attended the funerals for the two other recent victims. 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 Legal Statement. 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. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP). Why is violent crime going up in Albuquerque? Theres a lot of evidence out there that the environment and what it says has a lot to do with crime, she says. But, Nicholas Huffmyer, a captain at the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, says that drugs and violence are inevitably linked. In fact, the Albuquerque Police Department counted 10 more homicides than in 2021, the previous record-setting year. We know this from exit interviews of officers who have retired or left departments, he says. Both men were killed near Central Avenue in southeast Albuquerque, police said. Story tips and ideas can be sent to Paul.Best@fox.com and on Twitter: @KincaidBest. Drug-related homicides are definitely up this year quite a bit, says Gilbert Gallegos. 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. or redistributed. Albuquerque Community Connect Camera Registry and Integration. Interactive Slider: Over the last few years, homicides (orange markers) have been focused around downtown Albuquerque and Central Ave. 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.". The lie that people are told is that drug crimes are nonviolent, Huffmyer says. 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. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Both the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office and APD say there continues to be challenges to preventing and solving violent crimes. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. The data in citywide crime statistics report is based on the official data that APD sends to the FBI. But there seems to be more to the violence than just illegal drugs. 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. All rights reserved. In the first three quarters of 2021, Albuquerque had 111 violent crimes per 10,000 people, according to FBI data. , 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. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Theyre up to 16 detectives and two sergeants, a number Liz Thomson says is a reasonable amount to handle Albuquerques homicide caseload. But, its worth remembering that homicide detectives generally start their work after the crime is already done. 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. 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. Its been a tough year, Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina told reporters at a November 8 news conference. 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. Rather, homicides were often simply disputes that spun out of control. All Rights Reserved. Both were also Muslim and from Pakistan. He was originally arrested on Aug. 9. 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. There is no doubt that we face a tough road ahead. This is a nationwide trend. "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. or redistributed. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In December of last year, Kyle Hartsock, the deputy commander overseeing the departments Criminal Investigations Division spoke about why on KRQE News 13s podcast. 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. 3 Mar. 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. Legal Statement. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.pagones@fox.com and on Twitter: @steph_pagones. Additionally, APD has added new detectives to the homicide unit. Neighboring states, such as Arizona and Texas, have seen an estimated five to six homicides per 100,000 people each year. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT SAID HE WAS GOING TO TEXAS TO FIND NEW HOME, REFERENCED 'SHOOTING OF MUSLIMS': COPS. 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. Hartsock also pointed out that APD has been working on increasing staffing and getting better technology along with focusing on detective training. Albuquerque Police Deputy Commander Kyle Hartsock said at the time that "the motives are still being explored fully to understand what they are.". That puts Albuquerque in the top 10 most violent cities with populations of over 100,000 people. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, NIBRS is the most current national framework for reporting crime and replaces the FBIs Summary Reporting System (SRS). 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Without fail, they all said, weve been hamstrung; weve been effectively neutered from being able to do our job.'. The FBI is assisting in the murder investigations. Hartsock also notes that the department instituted regular check-ins on open murder cases to help come up with new ideas into investigations. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP). That count exceeds the 2021 record of 110 homicides counted by APD. It looks like nobody cares, Thomson says. New Mexicos violent crime rate (also estimated) far outpaces our neighbors. The sooner people recognize that there is not one circumstance that is causing this, the better, Huffmyer says. 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%. (City of Espaola via AP, File). 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. , 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. Interactive Slider: New Mexicos homicide rate (estimated from incomplete data) has historically outpaced both neighboring states and the national homicide rate per capita. And throughout the city, vacant lots and closed buildings continue to be an issue; thats a problem that isnt likely to go away soon. In recent years, the data showed that inane, petty disputes increasingly sparked killings. 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. At the time, the city was on pace to shatter its homicide record and top officials described the violence as a scourge. Syed, the suspect, has "denied having any involvement in the murders in this case," according to a criminal complaint. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP). Over the last 35 years, Albuquerques yearly homicide count has averaged about 45 homicides per year. Market data provided by Factset. But so far, 2021 homicides have been occurring further east. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT TRIES TO SPEAK IN COURT; FAMILY REPORTEDLY SAYS HE WAS HOME AT TIME OF SLAYINGS. That includes Chicago, which marked one of its most violent years on record. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP, File), Albuquerque police release body camera video of murder suspect being arrested. An Albuquerque man, Richard Saravia, has pled guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal property damage following a 2021 road rage incident. 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. Naeem Hussain, a Muslim man from Pakistan, was discovered fatally woundedin the area of Truman Street and Grand Avenue just before midnight on Friday, police said. 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. As of April 18, 2021, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) recorded 35 homicides across the city. This year, Albuquerque police have investigated more homicides than any time in the last 35 years. John Anderson, Shaheen Syeds attorneysaid in court filings that the allegations against his client were "thin and speculative.". Albuquerque police release body camera video of murder suspect being arrested. 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. Liz Thomson, a retired APD homicide sergeant says the department saw a fair number of people shooting each other over relatively small amounts of drugs. So one could argue that that was a drug-related crime, Thomson says. Homicides, of course, contribute to the violent reputation. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP). A grand jury indicted him Friday on three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of tampering with evidence. City officials also have pointed to a lack of consequences for repeat offenders as one of the reasons Albuquerque continues to struggle with crime. 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 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. In 2018, the Albuquerque Police Department began reporting crime statistics using the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. A funeral service was held for Aftab Hussein, 41, and Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, at the Islamic Center of New Mexico on Friday. Four men in total all Muslims from South Asia were ambushed, shot, and killed in Albuquerque since November 2021. Fox News's Stephanie Pagones contributed to this report. Police said the victim 13-year-old Bennie Hargrove was trying to protect another boy who was being bullied. Albuquerque has had more than one homicide over beer pong, she says to illustrate her point. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. A motive has not been offered by prosecutors, but police said an "interpersonal conflict" may have led to the shootings. Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murder Thursday in the The four menall Muslimand from South Asia were ambushed, shot, and killed in Albuquerque since November 2021. Albuquerque Police identify man killed outside Nob Hill home The previous homicide record of 80 was set just three years earlier, during Mayor Tim Kellers first term. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. 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. ", 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. In 2018, the Albuquerque Police Department began reporting crime statistics using the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Incident-Based Reporting Story tips can be sent to stephanie.pagones@fox.com and on Twitter: @steph_pagones. , 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. Market data provided by Factset. You start to look deeper and you realize: Is it really the drugs? You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The average police department saw a 7% rise in homicides, the data shows. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP, File). All Rights Reserved. 3 Mar. And even data on violent crimes doesnt paint the full picture. 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. Tuesday marked four days since police received word of their most recent murder. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. Medina, the Albuquerque police chief, said he believes the pandemic also is to blame for nationwide spikes in homicides, suicides, drug overdoses and traffic crashes. Legal Statement. 2023 The City of Albuquerque. After Hussain was fatally shot, Shaheen Syeds phone moved to an area closer to the crime scene, according to the motion. In the past, she says, it was easy to point the finger at political scapegoats or at gang violence. (U.S. District Court/AP). Muhammad Syed is scheduled to appear before a state district judge Wednesday as prosecutors seek to have him detained without bond pending trial on the two counts of murder. 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 first incident was reported on Nov. 7, 2021, when 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.

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