Suspect in custody after shooting, manhunt shuts down Rail Runner, cancels Bernalillo school
A shooting near U.S. 550 in Bernalillo shut down the Rail Runner and canceled classes Tuesday after a suspect pointed a gun at officers during a foot pursuit.
A man is in custody after an early-morning shooting near U.S. Highway 550 in Bernalillo triggered a multi-agency manhunt Tuesday that shut down Rail Runner service and forced Bernalillo Public Schools to cancel classes for the day.
Bernalillo police responded around 4:49 a.m. after a 911 caller reported someone firing at their vehicle on westbound U.S. 550 near North Hill Road. Officers located a man matching the suspect’s description near the 550 Rail Runner station, and a foot pursuit followed. When officers found the man north of the station, he pointed a firearm at them, and officers returned fire. The suspect fled but was taken into custody at 7:09 a.m. within the search perimeter, police said. No officers were struck.
The search prompted the New Mexico Rail Runner Express to halt all service through the area for several hours. A Rail Runner spokesperson said approximately 200 passengers were affected and bused around the closure while operators worked to reopen the line.
The Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, Rio Rancho Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and federal agencies also responded. Bernalillo Public Schools announced all campuses closed for the day, citing police activity near Bernalillo High School and transportation restrictions that prevented buses from leaving the lot.
The investigation is ongoing. No additional threat to the public was reported as of Tuesday morning.