Posted on 03/25/2005 5:08:12 PM PST by elkfersupper
Police are still trying to identify a man they say shot at two officers, who shot back and killed him.
Officers Josh Otzenberger, 25, and John Garcia, 35, were taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital after the shootout.
According to Police Chief Gil Gallegos, Garcia pulled over the unidentified man on suspicion of drunk driving about 12:40 Friday morning. Garcia then called for assistance from a DWI officer, so Otzenberger was dispatched.
The man then ran away through the Doubletree Hotel parking lot, Gallegos said. The officers followed, so the man turned around and fired several rounds from a .22 caliber revolver, knocking both officers to the ground.
Garcia and Otzenberger then shot several times, killing the suspect.
In the melee, Garcia was shot in the jaw. His bulletproof vest stopped another bullet from reaching his chest.
Otzenberger was hit in the neck and leg.
Firefighters said that when they arrived, Garcia, despite his wounds, was giving first aid to Otzenberger.
Both were taken to the hospital in critical condition, but have since improved: Otzenberger is in serious condition, and Garcia is in satisfactory condition.
Investigators trying to identify suspect As of Friday afternoon, officers were still unable to identify the suspect.
Evidence on the suspect showed the man may have been a gang member, Gallegos said at a midday press conference.
The chief said the man, who is white, was in his early 30s. He has a shaved head and a mustache and goatee.
Police said the suspect may have been in the military or an ex-convict because he was able to shoot near the officers’ heads after quickly turning around.
Gallegos says the APD communication department is reviewing all calls from last night to see if they can find something, such as a break-in or shots-fired report, that would explain the man’s decision to flee.
NCAA fans: ‘Didn’t ruin my taste for Albuquerque’ The shooting happened just outside a hotel where many basketball fans are staying for the NCAA tournament.
Many fans told Eyewitness News 4 that they were just returning from the round-of-16 games.
“It’s been a rough weekend in Albuquerque,” said Washington fan Jay Torrell. “Gun shots – not what you expected – but I doubt that’s a common occurrence.”
West Virginia fan Derek Farley said, “It seemed like just a series of ad decisions, but it certainly didn’t ruin my taste for Albuquerque.”
Last APD officer shot in 2003 The last time an Albuquerque police officer was shot was in July 2003.
That’s when Officer Carol Oleksak was shot in the head. The suspect, Duc Minh Pham, was shot and killed by other officers a few blocks away.
Oleksak, who initially wasn’t expected to live, has returned to the police force.
“The guy who hit me, he was crazy. He wasn’t mean… It happened,” she said in October 2003.
Last APD officer killed in line of duty in 2002 It has been more than three years since the last Albuquerque police officer died in the line of duty.
Officer Jeffrey Russell was killed when his car crashed into a street sweeper in January 2002. He was on his way to work.
I can tell you now that it will be almost impossible to identifythis Mexican, he has at least 3 super official matricula cards issued by the official Mexican goberment!
Maybe, maybe not. Someone with training.
Headshooting shaved head goateed gang banger ping.
What do you think about round placement?
Shot placement is key on second round IMO.....speed on first round fired center mass. 2nd shot at top button on shirt and 3rd of the failure drill I practice is in the motors via a mouth shot if recoil walks the rounds per my plan. But we all know about plans when pucker factor is high.
All honesty....I've seen more damage from .22 long rifle hits than some larger caliber rounds.
The Doubletree Hotel is one of the major downtown Alb. high rise joints. This happened in the high rent area by the Civic Plaza, near the Hyatt, the courthouses, police HQ, jail, etc. Very high profile place for a shooting, so it was unplanned to happen here. Sounds like the perp felt like he had nothing to lose, and was willing to kill two cops to escape. I mean, he was only blocks from Police HQ, jail, courthouses, city building, federal building etc. He had to kill the cops and escape pronto, or there would be hundreds of LEOs on his case!!!
I couldn't shoot like that. Don't know if it was rifle or handgun, but it was under stress and probably on the run. I'll be interested in seeing more on who this guy was.
Besides the apparantly skillful shot placement, the fact that he was willing to unload on two cops in the "shadow" of jail, Police HQ, the courthouse etc is interesting. Most dirtbags would avoid that area like cockroaches avoid Raid. I wonder if he has gang connections? I'd like to see his tats.
Yeah I waded those waters for 14 years.......he had something to lose indeed. He made some good hits for over the sholder or stop and turn shooting after running and drunk.
Wonder if all the rounds were from same weapon ? MS13 hit on LEO's maybe ? < /TINFOIL>
That's a fact. I think that's the last place I would decide to twist off. LEO's are looking at earlier calls to see what turned him into a desperado. I think we can count on seeing some earlier contact with LEO.
>>That’s when Officer Carol Oleksak was shot in the head. The suspect, Duc Minh Pham, was shot and killed by other officers a few blocks away.<<
How long is the average city block? This is fine shooting.
By the way, I'm currently in an RV at the Zuzax - near your old stomping grounds.
Shorter than NY, longer than Tijuana. Dangerously fine shooting nonetheless, if the story is accurate.
I think in general revolvers are pretty good for snap shooting. Big front sight, natural pointers. Maybe a .22 magnum with 9 shots? My memory is hazy on those .22 revolvers. With a decent trigger, you could get off your shots quick!
No recoil, just POP POP POP POP POP POP POP POP POP!!!!!!
The shot placement above the vest tells me he was not "wasting" shots on the vests he knew were there. At close range, he might have gotten off most of his shots before they cleared leather.
My guess? A former prisnoer with a personal "never going back inside" vow, who was ready to shoot from the time he saw the blue light.
Wise guy!
;^)
Your real close...I lived in Tablazon up behind ya ! Two of my friends work the chevron below the RV park....a big guy with a itty bitty wife that used to work there too !
Stay safe !!!
I'll tell Irene I talked to you. 4" of snow this morning, 30"+ last Monday, Tuesday. F350 was pushing snow.
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