APD releases details of recent officer-involved shooting

ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department released details today of a recent officer-involved shooting that occurred on Aug. 17, 2023, at an apartment complex located at 301 Rhode Island St., S.E.

APD officers were on proactive patrol in the area of Rhode Island St. and Bell Ave., S.E. on Aug. 17 at 4:24 a.m. when they noticed a man who was spray-painting the wheel of a Kia vehicle in the parking lot of an apartment complex. The vehicle did not have a license plate displayed, so officers detained the man while they investigated whether the vehicle was stolen.

As they spoke with the man for about 9 minutes, they suspected he was not giving his real name, and that the car could be stolen. With little warning, the male stood up and ran away from officers. Both officers chased the man as he circled around the apartment and ran back to the car. An officer saw the man reach under the front tire and grab a gun, and begin to run again.

One officer ran behind the man as Officer Howington ran around the opposite side of the building, expecting the suspect to repeat his pattern. Officer Howington later told investigators that he observed the man come around the corner, armed with a gun, and saw a muzzle flash, which is produced when a gun fires and creates a bright light near the tip of the gun. At that time, the officer fired his gun several times.

During the investigation, a total of 15 casings were located on scene and one casing was on the other side of the wood fence.

As shots were being fired, the suspect jumped over a wooden fence and into a large dirt field. He fled the area on foot. A pink revolver was later located on the north side of the fence where the man jumped. Blood was also located on a chain link fence located at the west side of the property. Blood was located on the gate of a nearby residence, where home surveillance video showed the suspect walking westbound.

Through investigation, detectives learned the suspect was Pablo Abreu-Peña, 34, a native of Havana, Cuba. Abreu-Peña had a felony drug warrant.

Detectives tracked down Abeu-Peña down two days later, on Aug. 19, at 441 Grove St., S.E., where he was arrested on his warrant. Detectives later obtained an arrest warrant for two people who were inside the residents. They are charged with harboring or aiding a felon and are currently wanted by police.

SUBJECT:     Pablo Abreu-Peña, 34

INVOLVED OFFICERS:     Officer Garrett Howington, who has been with the department since 2019, has not been involved in any officer-involved shootings.

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