APD charges man for shooting death of pandhandler
APD Charges Man for Shooting Death of Panhandler
Sunday, 9/19/21
ALBUQUERQUE – Homicide detectives charged 21-year-old Isaiah Luna with an open count of murder for today’s shooting death of a transient who was panhandling at the intersection of Central Ave. and 98th St. N.W.
According to witnesses and surveillance video, the driver of a white, older model Jeep shot the man who approached the vehicle from the median at the intersection. Luna was driving the jeep, according to his mother and girlfriend, and he fled the scene after the shooting. Luna later returned with his mother, who informed police that her son shot the man, and the firearm was in the vehicle.
Luna told police he shot the man in self-defense after the man punched him in the face. Luna then stated he would not speak further to police without an attorney present.
Detectives viewed surveillance video that showed the interaction leading up to the shooting, and the video did not show the panhandler strike, punch or attempt to enter Luna’s vehicle.
Luna was booked tonight into the Metro Detention Center.
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