APD arrests 16-year-old for shooting death at Downtown club

ALBUQUERQUE – APD homicide detectives arrested a 16-year-old male for the overnight night shooting death of a man at a Downtown club.

Officers responded shortly after 1:30 a.m. to reports of a shooting at Knockouts, a strip club located at 311 Central Ave., N.W. Officers located an adult male on the ground in front of the business. He had gunshot wounds and rescue personnel determined he died as a result of his wounds.

Witnesses directed officers to the shooter, who was still inside the club. A witness wrestled the suspect to the ground and officers detained him. The suspect stated to officers that he shot the man in self-defense.

APD homicide detectives investigated the shooting throughout the day and determined that two groups of males were fighting inside the club. A security guard told detectives he saw the fight on security cameras and rushed to the dance area where he saw the suspect produce a firearm and “dumping rounds” at the victim.

Another witness said he tried to separate the two during the fight and heard the victim tell the suspect, “Please stop you already got me.” The witness said the suspect followed the victim and kept shooting at him. The witness and another man held down the shooter and took his weapon from him.

After the suspect told officers he acted in self-defense, he declined to answer further questions and asked for a lawyer.

The teen-age suspect was charged with an open count of murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, shooting at an occupied building, unlawful possession of a handgun by a person, and concealed identity.

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