Albuquerque business owner faces murder charge for shooting fleeing shoplifter

krqe ^ | 05/29/2025 | Marilyn Upchurch

[ChicagoConservative27]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – An Albuquerque business owner is facing a murder charge after police said he shot a fleeing shoplifter.

According to the Albuquerque Police Department, the owner of Moe’s Smoke Shop shot a shoplifter who was reversing his car away from the store. “A lot of commotion. We went ahead and came to the windows by my work, we looked out, we saw a guy running out, that fled in a white Toyota Camry. Then we saw the owner of the smoke shop also out there,” said an employee at a nearby business who wanted to remain anonymous.

Mohtasem Mahir Thabata, the owner of Moe’s Smoke Shop, is facing a murder charge. According to a police report, officers arrived around 3 p.m. Wednesday to a shopping center near Lomas Blvd. and San Mateo Blvd. When they arrived, they found a burned car and a man, identified as Matthew Sedillo, on the ground with a bullet wound, where he soon after was pronounced dead on scene.

[packrat35]

Agreed

[packrat35]

I say Not Guilty...

[packrat35]

I’m with you there brother...

[packrat35]

I absolutely value MY property more than any thief who tries to take it...

[packrat35]

The thief choose poorly

[NorthMountain]

This is a case of “taking out the trash”.

As a juror, I would not convict him of any crime. Under similar circumstances, cops have shot fleeing criminals and been praised for it.

[NorthMountain]

This is a case of “taking out the trash”.

As a juror, I would not convict him of any crime. Under similar circumstances, cops have shot fleeing criminals and been praised for it.

[packrat35]

[Rastus]

“Is there someone there named Schutenkill? First name Amanda?” “Fellas, I need Amanda Schutenkill! Can I get Amanda Schutenkill?

[af_vet_1981]

“Thabata told police he was trying to shoot the tire, but instead, Sedillo was hit and killed. The car crashed into another vehicle in the Sprouts parking lot, then ended up across the street where it hit a curb and caught fire.”

Given the totality of the circumstances, I can see involuntary or voluntary manslaughter.

[pierrem15]

Yeah. Right. If Moe had really aimed for the tire, Sedillo would still be alive.

Depends on the distance, speed and angle of the car. At more than 20 or so feet, you'd need Clint Eastwood Spaghetti Western shooting skills.

He's lucky he didn't kill a bystander across the street.

[Spacetrucker]

My favorite meme about this (well, something similar) is a commie gimmedats telling average Joe guy, “You value your property more than our needs?” Average Joe guy says, “Dude, I don’t even know you. I value my morning coffee more than your needs”.

[Scrambler Bob]

....unless the proprietor felt his life was threatened...
= = =

I am afraid that this guy will be back.

[Scrambler Bob]

If Moe had really aimed for the tire, Sedillo would still be alive.
= = =

Was Sedillo round and black?

[MayflowerMadam]

“Moe is guilty of street justice. Vigilantism.”

I’d change “guilty of” to “credited with”. I hope other shoplifters are paying attention and maybe learning something.

[ridesthemiles]

YOU WIN POST OF THE THREAD

[rxh4n1]

“What did he steal?”

A cigar? Maybe he had time to light it up but he dropped when shot and there’s the burning car.

[Moltke]

Police eventually spoke to Thabata, who admitted to shooting at Sedillo, who he said stole two shirts and a glass bong from his store, before trying to flee in a car. Thabata told police he was trying to shoot the tire, but instead, Sedillo was hit and killed.

Fatal mistake. Talking to the police and making an admission. He clearly did not watch Prof. James Duane's classic video "Don't talk to the police."

[CedarDave]

New Mexico. Ugh. The whole state is another example of democrat disaster politics. Now this struggling small business owner that finally cracked under the weight of crime destroying his hard work will lose everything.

It's so bad that the other day when I went to the Walmart on Eubank in ABQ, I had to have an assistant unlock the case so I could purchase some laundry detergent. He wouldn't hand it to me but took it directly to a cashier. On top of that he couldn't speak a word of English so communication was gestures.

[CedarDave]

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