The Albuquerque community is reflecting on a violent late-night incident downtown that left Stephen Griego, 41, dead and two other men injured following an officer-involved shooting near Central Avenue and Third Street NE.
According to the Albuquerque Police Department, officers were in the downtown area shortly before midnight when they heard gunfire at approximately 11:53 p.m. Officers immediately moved toward the sound and encountered an active confrontation involving multiple individuals.
Police stated that during the encounter, four officers discharged their weapons after arriving on scene. Griego was struck during the exchange and officers immediately provided emergency aid until medical personnel arrived. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The incident also left two additional men injured. One man sustained a gunshot wound during the confrontation and was taken to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Investigators are still working to determine how he was struck and whether the injury occurred during the confrontation or from gunfire exchange.
A third man was found injured approximately one block away from the initial scene. Authorities are investigating whether his injury may have been caused by a stray bullet and are working to determine the source of that gunfire. He was also transported to a hospital and is expected to survive.
Following the incident, the Albuquerque Police Department confirmed that the case has been turned over to the Multi-Agency Task Force, which will lead a full investigation. That process will include witness interviews, forensic testing, and a detailed reconstruction of the events leading up to the shooting. The findings will later be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office to determine whether any charges are appropriate.
In addition, APD’s Internal Affairs Force Division will conduct an internal review to determine whether officers followed department policy during the incident. Oversight bodies, including the Force Review Board and the Superintendent of Police Reform, will also evaluate the shooting for training and procedural review.
Officials say the investigation is expected to take several months as detectives work to piece together a full timeline of events and determine exactly what occurred during the confrontation.
For now, the downtown community is left with unanswered questions as investigators continue their work and those involved begin the process of recovery and reflection after a chaotic and tragic night.
