APD Releases Details of Recent Officer-Involved Shooting
August 6, 2021
ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department released details today of a recent officer-involved shooting.
Date of Incident: July 5, 2021
Location: 5920 Osuna Rd., N.E.
On Monday, July 5, 2021, Dalton Cunningham, 26, stole a city-owned bait car that APD’s Auto Theft Unit had deployed in the area of Central Ave. and Louisiana Blvd., S.E. A sergeant with the Auto Theft Unit watched a live stream of Cunningham inside the vehicle as he drove through the Northeast Heights.
As a result of Cunningham’s dangerous driving, the bait car was remotely disabled as it drove westbound on Osuna Rd., N.E. As marked APD vehicles arrived to Cunningham’s location, the sergeant spotted Cunningham place a multi-colored mask over his face as he attempted to turn the ignition on. The sergeant also observed Cunningham holding a black, semi-automatic handgun. The sergeant relayed that information to responding officers.
Cunningham then turned around and fired multiple shots at officers who were behind his vehicle. One shot went through the officers’ windshield, narrowly missing them. Officers returned fire, striking Cunningham in the chin.
Cunningham exited the vehicle and fled on foot through an apartment complex. Officers took Cunningham into custody in the parking lot on the west side of the complex.
Cunningham was treated at the hospital for a superficial wound, before being released and booked into the Metro Detention Center. In addition to his warrants, Cunningham is was charged with: Unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, Aggravated assault on a police officer, felon in possession of a firearm, and resisting and evading a police officer.
Suspect: Dalton Cunningham
Involved Officers:
- Officer Curtis Hoffman, who has been with the department since 2017, has not been involved in any prior officer-involved shootings.
- Officer Nathaniel Matheson, who has been with the department since 2019, has not been involved in any prior officer-involved shootings.
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