APD Releases Details of Recent Officer-Involved Shooting in Southwest Albuquerque

Dec. 23, 2022

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT

Date of Incident: Nov. 25, 2022

Location: 2204 Odessa Ct., SW

Officers responded to a 911 call at 3:21 p.m. on Nov. 25, 2022, in which the caller reported his son was drinking alcohol earlier and he was out of control. The caller, Joseph Perry, said his son, Blaine Denetdele, was calling him names and abusing his wife and him as elders.

Perry’s wife, Mavis Perry, then got on the phone with the 911 call-taker. She reported Denetdele went into the kitchen and armed himself with a knife. Denetdele confronted his father with the knife, and after a short struggle, Perry was able to disarm Denetdele.

It was reported that Denetdele may have cut himself during the struggle with his father. He had lacerations to his hands at autopsy which may have been self-inflicted.

During the 911 call, Mrs. Perry stated Denetdele had attempted to force his way into the bedroom where she was hiding. Mrs. Perry also stated Denetdele had destroyed items in his room. Denetdele also went throughout the house and stabbed the walls in the home and at one point broke a knife due to stabbing items in the house. He went downstairs and armed himself with two more knives.

Denetdele also went throughout the house and stabbed the walls in the home and at one point broke a knife due to stabbing items in the house. He went downstairs and armed himself with two more knives from the butcher block. Additional knives were later located in the residence, including the broken knife.

Mr. and Mrs. Perry both advised Denetdele had been drinking, and was intoxicated during this incident.

Officers arrived in the area, and set up a force array. In their later interviews, the officers stated they were aware of the remarks advising the mother was barricaded in a room, the father and son were in a physical altercation, and the son was armed with a knife. Due to these facts, officers said they needed to expedite their approach to the residence for everyone’s safety.

The on-duty supervisor, who was not on scene yet, advised the officers to make their approach. Officers approached the residence, and as they were clearing the vehicles in the driveway, Mr. Perry stepped out onto the front porch and waved for officers to come to him. Officers asked Mr. Perry to step over to Officer Taddoni. Mr. Perry complied, and stated “He’s right here. He’s right here.” During this time, Officer Munoz observed Denetdele inside of the living room area holding a knife in each hand. Denetdele suddenly began walking out of the residence, holding those knives above his head.

During the incident, Officer Sampang deployed a 40mm launcher and struck Denetdele with a sponge round. All three officers later stated the impact of the sponge round did not appear to have any effect on Denetdele. Officer Sampang transitioned to his handgun, and discharged it. Officers Taddoni and Muñoz also discharged their firearms.

Denetdele died as a result of his wounds.

Subject: Blaine Denetdele, 30

Involved Officers:

Arniel Sampang, who has been with the department since 2015, has not been involved in prior officer-involved shootings.

Christopher Taddoni, who has been with the department since 2021, has not been involved in prior officer-involved shootings.

Jacob Muñoz, who has been with the department since 2020, has not been involved in 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.