APD releases details of recent officer-involved shooting at SE apartment complex

Friday, Oct. 28, 2022

ALBUQUERQUE – The Albuquerque Police Department released details today of an officer-involved shooting on Sept. 27, 2022 at Southeast Apartment Complex.

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT

Date of Incident: Sept. 27, 2022

Location: 12720 Central Ave. SE

On Thursday, Sept. 27, 2022, APD was notified of a ShotSpotter notification at 11 p.m. in the area of 12720 Central Ave., S.E. The gunshot appeared to have come from the stairwell at the apartment complex.

A resident at the complex called 911 to report that her upstairs neighbor pointed a gun at her and fired the gun because she parked in his parking spot.

The man, later identified as Oron Newson, told arriving officers that he had a gun in his apartment, but refused to go downstairs to talk to officers. At one point, Newson entered his apartment, retrieved the gun, walked outside and set it down on the landing of the apartment.

Officers attempted to negotiate with Newson for over an hour and he refused to comply with any commands. He entered and exited the apartment several times, consuming alcohol and at one point retrieved the handgun and went back inside the apartment.

During later interviews with investigators, officers said they could hear Newson run the slide of the handgun, chambering a round. He re-emerged outside, produced the handgun from his pants pocket and pointed it at officers.

Two officers discharged their weapons, firing at Newson.

Officers took Newson into custody and took him to an ambulance to be treated for his wounds. He was transported to the hospital.

During an interview with investigators, Newson stated that he knew officers were on scene. He raised his gun toward officers, but did not think they would shoot so quickly. He said he also believed he fired his gun at officers.

Subject: Oron Newson, 26

Involved Officer:

• Adam Portillos, who has been with the department since 2007, has not been involved in any prior officer-involved shootings.
• Benjamin Daffron, who has been with the department since 2007, has not been involved in any prior officer-involved shootings.

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.

###