MILAN, NM – On February 6, 2024 officers were in the vicinity of Russell Ave. and Airport Rd. when they heard several apparent gunshots, one individual sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was airlifted to UNM hospital following an apparent drive-by shooting.
Officers observed a white in color SUV turn the corner of Russell Ave. onto Airport Rd. The vehicle fishtailed, turned around and went back down Russell Ave. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but were unsuccessful and continued to pursue the vehicle.
The SUV continued to flee at approximately 60 miles per hour, double the speed limit on South Quail Rd and continued towards the Zuni Mountains. Officers observed that the occupants of the vehicle were allegedly throwing several items out of the vehicle. One of these items was allegedly a large black backpack. Officers pursued the vehicle for approximately two miles on Zuni Canyon Rd. before the vehicle came to a stop and three individuals allegedly fled the vehicle.
One male was said to have stayed in the vehicle and was detained by officers. A loaded black and green 9mm handgun was also allegedly found in the front driver’s seat of the vehicle within reach of the driver. The vehicle was then sealed with evidence tape and was pending a search warrant. Several windows of the vehicle were allegedly broken due to impacts of bullets and there were several bullet holes in the sides of the vehicle. Once, the vehicle was sealed it was towed to the Grants Police Department to be secured in their garage to prevent tampering.
Officers were able to locate the black backpack that was thrown from the SUV underneath the Interstate 40 overpass at Airport Rd. In the backpack was two New Mexico identification cards, nine unknown blue color pills with two in a burnt tin foil wrapper, a baggie containing twelve unknown white color pills, and a yellow steel capsule containing a white crystalline like substance.
Officers were advised that an individual was at Cibola General Hospital with a gunshot wound.
Officers interviewed one of the individuals at the hospital. According to the witness the gunshot victim and themselves were traveling west on State Road 122 in a Silver Ford Ranger. The witness said that there was a White SUV that was allegedly swerving at them, the gunshot victim then rolled down the window and was yelling at the individuals in the White SUV from his vehicle. The witness said that they then turned onto Russell Ave. and the White SUV allegedly pulled up beside them and individuals inside began shooting. The witness said that the gunshot victim then began screaming that he had been shot. Officers were then advised that the gunshot victim had sustained one gunshot wound to his abdomen and would be flown out to UNM Hospital.
Upon inspecting the Silver Ford Ranger that the gunshot victim was driving, officers saw that there were several bullet holes in the side of the vehicle, numerous apparent bullet holes in the driver’s side as well as numerous bullet holes in the driver’s side windshield. There were no apparent entry holes inside the seats or rear window of the vehicle. There was also allegedly blood on the driver’s seat.
Shell casing belonging to a .45 caliber handgun was located on Russell Avenue and was taken into evidence. Officers interviewed the gunshot victim at Cibola General Hospital, and the gunshot victim advised officers that they did not know the shooter of the vehicle. The gunshot victim said that once the individuals in the white SUV began shooting at them, they pulled out their personal gun, a .45 caliber handgun and began shooting back at the white SUV through their windshield. Upon seeing officers pursue the white SUV the gunshot victim stopped shooting and drove to the hospital due to the gunshot wound.
Officers detained a male who was walking down Zuni Canyon Rd. Officers then interviewed the male in reference to the incident. The male was allegedly a passenger in the SUV and said that they had followed a small truck past the Milan Police Department. He said that the female passenger in the SUV was yelling at the gunshot victim to pull over, that is when he heard a bunch of shooting and then ducked. Another male who was also allegedly in the SUV corroborated the same story but said that following the shooting he did not know what happened because he was on the floorboard. He also said that he did not want to go to jail so he decided to run with the other male and the female.