APD Releases Details of Officer-Involved Shooting of armed burglary suspect
ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department released details of a Nov. 16, 2023, officer-involved shooting of an armed man following a foot pursuit in Southwest Albuquerque.
Summary of Incident
Burglary Investigation
APD Auto Theft detectives were investigating the theft of a silver, 2008 Toyota Tacoma that was stolen from Extra Space Storage, located at 2301 Vista Oriente, N.W. The vehicle had been in long-term storage and was last seen in the owner’s storage unit on Aug. 1, 2023. In addition to the vehicle, 11 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition were stolen from the unit.
Detectives located the vehicle on Nov. 16, 2023, and conducted mobile surveillance. Two individuals were inside the vehicle. One was later identified as Efren Ramirez.
Detectives followed the vehicle throughout the city and saw it stop at the Ace Hardware near Lomas Blvd. and San Mateo Blvd., N.E. As the vehicle left the parking lot, officers attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. Officers stopped following the vehicle and APD’s helicopter tracked it. The vehicle was followed to a parking structure at 6501 Americas Parkway, N.E., where it came to a stop, and one of the occupants was observed exited the vehicle.
APD’s helicopter continued to monitor the vehicle as the driver went southbound on Louisiana Blvd, and then westbound on I-40. The vehicle exited at 98th St., N.W. and entered the parking lot just west of El Mezquite Market.
Foot Pursuit
Auto theft detectives arrived in the strip mall parking lot and attempted to make contact with Ramirez as he exited the vehicle and walked eastbound toward an alleyway behind the market. An acting sergeant saw Ramirez had a firearm and informed other officers.
Detectives began to follow Ramirez and give him commands to drop the firearm. Ramirez did not comply and started jogging away from detectives, heading southbound behind the market. As additional detectives arrived and cut him off at a frontage road on the north side of Central Ave., Ramirez jogged around a wall that ran parallel to the market and headed northbound in a dirt alleyway behind some homes, just east of the strip mall.
Officers continued to give commands for Ramirez to drop the firearm he was carrying in his hand. One detective fired a less-lethal, 40mm munition at Ramirez, but it failed to stop his actions. Ramirez continued to run away from officers. Detectives later told investigators they saw Ramirez turn his body and point the handgun at them. Four detectives fired their department firearms at Ramirez. Ramirez was struck 8 times.
Detectives provided aid to Ramirez after the shooting and he was transported to a local hospital where he continues to recover from his wounds.
The handgun Ramirez had in his possession was recovered at the scene.
No officers were injured during the shooting.
Over the next several months, APD will continue to investigate and analyze this incident. Detectives will continue interviewing any new witnesses that come forward and complete any forensic tests. After the investigation is complete, APD’s Force Review Board will forward the findings to the Superintendent of Police Reform to determine if this incident met the high standards of the Albuquerque Police Department. The Multi-Agency Task Force will forward its case to the District Attorney’s Office to make any determination of criminal charges.
SUBJECT: Efren Ramirez, 35
INVOLVED OFFICERS:
Detective Jason Allred, who has been with the department since 2009, has not been involved in any officer-involved shootings.
Detective Beau Wright-Brown, who has been with the department since 2015, has not been involved in any officer-involved shootings.
Detective Daniel Yurcisim, who has been with the department since 2012, has not been involved in any officer-involved shootings.
Detective Adrian Miranda, who has been with the department since 2020, has not been involved in any officer-involved shootings.