Albuquerque Police responded to Coronado Mall around 1 p.m. Friday afternoon and found a security officer suffering from a gunshot wound. APD officers were nearby enough to identify and follow the suspect who was apprehended following a brief foot pursuit.
Officers saw the driver discard a gun which was later recovered. Spokesman Gilbert Gallegos identified the suspect as 17-year old male. The incident began, says Gallegos, when the guard confronted the suspect who was sleeping in the Fuddruckers restaurant on the east side of the mall. The security officer and suspect then exited the restaurant into the mall parking lot where the suspect discharged at least three rounds. One round struck the officer in the calf.
APD confirmed that the security officer was transported to an area hospital but they did not provide an update on their condition.
One mall vendor, who asked not to be identified, said the mall and food court area were “packed” with Friday afternoon shoppers but none were aware of the incident until alerts began appearing on social media.
Police were seen establishing a crime scene on the east side of the mall near Louisiana Avenue.
Video update from APD:
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