ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) There were more than 100 homicides in Albuquerque this year. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.pagones@fox.com and on Twitter: @steph_pagones. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. The 311 service is a single telephone number for all non-emergency City of Albuquerque inquiries and services. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Both men were killed 3 Mar. There is one thing that certainly stands in the way of reducing Albuquerques violent crime, says Liz Thomson: In regards to reducing violent crime, investigating and solving violent crime, the blame game is the worst thing, she says. Lawmakers are once again considering a similar measure that would criminalize negligent gun storage in cases where a child brandishes the weapon or uses it to hurt someone. By JEFFREY COLLINS and JAMES POLLARD, Associated Press. So one could argue that that was a drug-related crime, Thomson says. At the end of December 2022, the 2023 The City of Albuquerque. Homicides have tended to cluster around certain parts of town, such as the International District. A grand jury indicted him Friday on three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of tampering with evidence. KRQE News 13 previously reported that the citys homicide rate was outpacing previous years and that the crimes tend to happen in certain parts of the city. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Olympic ticket sales for Paris Games gets off to, 7 Cubs pitchers combine for no-hitter vs Machado,, Mikal Bridges helps Nets rally to stun Celtics, 115-105, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard, U.S. jury poised to weigh international soccers. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. All rights reserved. Police, however, are still being tight-lipped about any possible suspects. People see a camera and they feel better, but cameras dont necessarily prevent crime, she says. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. His father, 51-year-old Muhammad Syed, has so far been charged with murder for two of the slayings the deaths of Muhammad Afzaal Hussain and Aftab Hussein. City officials also have pointed to a lack of consequences for repeat offenders as one of the reasons Albuquerque continues to struggle with crime. or redistributed. Given the recent increase in homicides, APD has been increasing both presence and engagement in certain areas, recently focusing on a Montgomery neighborhood with bouts of violence. The lie that people are told is that drug crimes are nonviolent, Huffmyer says. previously reported that the citys homicide rate, Rio Bravo Park cleanup will take longer than expected, Gun safety bill passes Senate, faces one more hurdle, Restaurants still struggling to recover from COVID, Roswell PD: Woman steals, drives wrong-way to get, State basketball tournament: Girls first round recap, BCSO: Kids were living in dirty home containing drugs, Local casino hosts National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show, UNM police arrest man for giving false ID, fleeing, More from KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos, Man connected to political shootings to stay behind, Safety improvements proposed for Nob Hill corridor, NM businesses are feeling impact of Pion shortage, CDC: Baby death linked to contaminated breast pump, Whats happening around New Mexico Mar. Legal Statement. In their motion, prosecutors pointed to cellphone records that they say show Syed possibly helped his father track Naeem Hussain, a 25-year-old man from Pakistan who was fatally shot on Aug. 5 in the parking lot of a refugee resettlement agency in southeast Albuquerque. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. To some extent, data supports Medinas claim. Prosecutors claim that Shaheen Syed spoke with his father when his phone was somewhere in the general area of the Islamic Center of New Mexico and soon after his fathers phone pinged in an area that included Lutheran Family Services. Homicide data from APD; map data from UNM RGIS/US Census, Its just a part of Albuquerque that looks like theres no oversight there. Albuquerque homicides now account for more than half of New Mexicos entire yearly homicide count. Drug-related homicides are definitely up this year quite a bit, says Gilbert Gallegos. In the first three quarters of 2021, Albuquerque had 111 violent crimes per 10,000 people, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Estimates from the Federal Bureau of Investigation show that New Mexicos violent crime and homicide rates have been above the national average for several years now. Syeds attorney argued that prosecutors gave no indication of the size of the area that his phone was in relative to the shooting. An attorney for Syed did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. Market data provided by Factset. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) New Mexicos largest city recorded 117 killings in 2021, shattering its previous homicide record by 46%. 3 Mar. but officials have called him the "most likely" suspect in the murders of Naeem Hussain and 62-year-old Muhammad Zahir. With the help of an interpreter, he "denied having any involvement in the murders in this case," thecriminal complaint alleges. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Medina, the Albuquerque police chief, said he believes the pandemic also is to blame for nationwide spikes in homicides, suicides, drug overdoses and traffic crashes. The record was broken that year and again in 2022. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A 14-year-old New Mexico boy accused of shooting and killing a classmate in 2021 has pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree murder, prosecutors said Thursday. Other U.S. cities also saw increases in homicide numbers over the past year. Albuquerque murders: Afghan refugee indicted on third murder count in Muslim murders Muhammad Syed, a 51-year-old Afghan refugee who has lived in In 2018, the Albuquerque Police Department began reporting crime statistics using the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). John Anderson, Shaheen Syeds attorneysaid in court filings that the allegations against his client were "thin and speculative.". A funeral service was held for Aftab Hussein, 41, and Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, at the Islamic Center of New Mexico on Friday. Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murder Thursday in the This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Data from FBI UCR Program. By this time last year, there were only 18. This file photo released Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, by the Albuquerque Police Department shows Muhammad Syed. What can be done in the meantime is increase police patrols in those areas. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. So far this year, there has been an uptick in the number of homicides at motels and hotels. He was originally arrested on Aug. 9. Homicide List as of 17 May 2021. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP). Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. And in Albuquerque, it has always been a huge obstacle.. That count exceeds the 2021 record of 110 homicides counted by APD. The four menall Muslimand from South Asia were ambushed, shot, and killed in Albuquerque since November 2021. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. But there seems to be more to the violence than just illegal drugs. Liz Thomson, a retired APD homicide sergeant says the department saw a fair number of people shooting each other over relatively small amounts of drugs. FILE - This Aug. 9, 2020, still image taken from officer video provided by the Albuquerque Police Department shows the arrest of Muhammad Syed. The FBI is assisting in the murder investigations. Community members are hoping to make a change when it comes to gun violence in the Duke City.The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) has reported 97 homicide victims, so far, in 2021. By this time last year, there were only 18. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT TRIES TO SPEAK IN COURT; FAMILY REPORTEDLY SAYS HE WAS HOME AT TIME OF SLAYINGS. On Aug. 1, the third victim, local city planner Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, was gunned down, police said. Investigators said they think those three murders happened in Grants, and Lannon is accused of killing a fourth man in Albuquerque. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP, File). 2021 was a record-breaking year for homicides in Albuquerque with 114, the first homicide happened on Jan. 8 and the last Dec. 31. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Shaheen Syed, 21, pictured in a 2021 Florida drivers license photo included in court documents. The boy will remain in state custody until hes 21, the maximum sentence allowed for a child under New Mexico law. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. By August, Albuquerque had already equaled its record for homicides with 81, set in 2019. Both were also Muslim and from Pakistan. Paul Best is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A 14-year-old New Mexico boy accused of shooting and killing a classmate in 2021 has pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree murder, prosecutors said Thursday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. As a result, violent crime including Albuquerques homicides are the result of what Huffmyer calls a mishmash of complex factors. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT SAID HE WAS GOING TO TEXAS TO FIND NEW HOME, REFERENCED 'SHOOTING OF MUSLIMS': COPS. Yet one of the most basic crime prevention strategies is to make a place look clean, inviting, and cared for, she says. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Olympic ticket sales for Paris Games gets off to, 7 Cubs pitchers combine for no-hitter vs Machado,, Mikal Bridges helps Nets rally to stun Celtics, 115-105, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard, U.S. jury poised to weigh international soccers, APD remains tight-lipped on weekend homicide in Nob Hill, found in the street with two gunshot wounds near Girard and Garfield on Sunday, housesitting when someone confronted him in the driveway, Rio Bravo Park cleanup will take longer than expected, Gun safety bill passes Senate, faces one more hurdle, Restaurants still struggling to recover from COVID, Roswell PD: Woman steals, drives wrong-way to get, State basketball tournament: Girls first round recap, BCSO: Kids were living in dirty home containing drugs, Local casino hosts National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show, UNM police arrest man for giving false ID, fleeing, More from KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos, Man connected to political shootings to stay behind, Safety improvements proposed for Nob Hill corridor, NM businesses are feeling impact of Pion shortage, CDC: Baby death linked to contaminated breast pump, Whats happening around New Mexico Mar. This change is important because NIBRS provides more comprehensive and detailed information about crimes against person, crimes against property and crimes against society occurring in law enforcement jurisdictions across the country. Some of those are drug deals gone wrong. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The bill narrowly passed the House and is poised to be considered by the full Senate. At the end of December 2022, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) published a list of 120 homicides that had occurred throughout the year. An Imam leads a group of men during the Dhuhr afternoon prayer at the Islamic Center of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, after the fourth Muslim man was murdered in the city. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The teen was initially charged with an open count of murder and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon on school premises. The Albuquerque Police Department reports 64-year-old Karl Jurisson was found in the street with two gunshot wounds near Girard and Garfield on Sunday. The Metro Crime Initiative brings together all parts of the criminal justice system so we can end the revolving door for repeat offenders and finally strike a balance when it comes to keeping people safe., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. But Albuquerques increase is above average according to data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association. Legal Statement. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT SAID HE WAS GOING TO TEXAS TO FIND NEW HOME, REFERENCED 'SHOOTING OF MUSLIMS': COPS. You start to look deeper and you realize: Is it really the drugs? Albuquerque Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Cecily Barker holds a flyer with photos of a car wanted in connection with Muslim men murdered as Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham looks on in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. The 311 service is a single telephone number for all non-emergency City of Albuquerque inquiries and services. He acknowledged over the summer that the city would surely surpass 100 killings in 2021, and he remains under pressure to address the problem as he starts his second term. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Olympic ticket sales for Paris Games gets off to, 7 Cubs pitchers combine for no-hitter vs Machado,, Mikal Bridges helps Nets rally to stun Celtics, 115-105, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard, U.S. jury poised to weigh international soccers, 2022 brought a record number of homicides. Authorities have yet to confirm that information. All rights reserved. Muhammad Syed is scheduled to appear before a state district judge Wednesday as prosecutors seek to have him detained without bond pending trial on the two counts of murder. This list will be updated as new information becomes available. All but three of the 2021 killings are being investigated by Albuquerque police, the Albuquerque Journal reported. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Hartsock attributed a higher solve rate to good detective work and communication among APD. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via AP). Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Former FBI investigator Bill Daly breaks down the case as law enforcement investigates the attack. For years, Albuquerque has had a problem with unsightly property, as reported by KRQE special assignment reporter Gabrielle Burkhart in 2017. Muhammad Syed, a 51-year-old man who has lived in Albuquerque for about five years, is also suspected in a fourth murder that occurred in November 2021. Rather, homicides were often simply disputes that spun out of control. (Robert Browman/The Albuquerque Journal via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. All rights reserved. ALBUQUERQUE POLICE REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING VEHICLE OF INTEREST IN MURDERS OF FOUR MUSLIM MEN. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Olympic ticket sales for Paris Games gets off to, 7 Cubs pitchers combine for no-hitter vs Machado,, Mikal Bridges helps Nets rally to stun Celtics, 115-105, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard, U.S. jury poised to weigh international soccers, Candlelight vigil to bring attention to homicide, APD begins new initiative to tackle violent crime, New Albuquerque coffee shop suffers from back-to-back, Albuquerque has had a problem with unsightly property, recently focusing on a Montgomery neighborhood, force-policy reforms, community oversight, and additional training requirements, Rio Bravo Park cleanup will take longer than expected, Gun safety bill passes Senate, faces one more hurdle, Restaurants still struggling to recover from COVID, Roswell PD: Woman steals, drives wrong-way to get, State basketball tournament: Girls first round recap, BCSO: Kids were living in dirty home containing drugs, Local casino hosts National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show, UNM police arrest man for giving false ID, fleeing, More from KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos, Man connected to political shootings to stay behind, Safety improvements proposed for Nob Hill corridor, NM businesses are feeling impact of Pion shortage, CDC: Baby death linked to contaminated breast pump, Whats happening around New Mexico Mar. Theyre up to 16 detectives and two sergeants, a number Liz Thomson says is a reasonable amount to handle Albuquerques homicide caseload. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) The man who was murdered outside of a Nob Hill home over the weekend has been identified. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Albuquerque Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Cecily Barker holds a flyer with photos of a car wanted in connection with Muslim men murdered as Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham looks on in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. Huffmyer also suggests that the dark cloud of administrative pressure and the eminent threat of public persecution can decrease law enforcement effectiveness. The most effective thing about policing is engagement with the community going to neighborhood meetings, interacting with kids, Thomson says. Squabbles over drugs and not necessarily large amounts of drugs have often led to homicides in the past. A spokesperson for the Islamic Center of New Mexico did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment. Legal Statement. WebOn Tuesday, Albuquerque police announced that they had arrested a suspect in the recent murders of three South Asian Muslim men, which may be connected to another killing last year. , VIDEO: Giant I-40 light poles sway in strong ABQ, Taxidermy birds used to make drones at New Mexico, PHOTOS: Storm leaves parts of state covered in snow, PHOTOS: Winter storm moves through NM leaving snow, PHOTOS: Storm causes snowy, icy roads across New, Map: New Mexico Veterans Monuments and Memorials, 13 Broadcast Pl SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Albuquerque Community Connect Camera Registry and Integration. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP, File), Albuquerque police release body camera video of murder suspect being arrested. (Credit: Albuquerque Police Department). Jurors in June convicted Jeremiah Lopez, 42, of first-degree murder and criminal sexual penetration for strangling and raping 27-year-old Krishauna Perez March Legal Statement. According to the criminal complaint, Syed "waited behind a bush, north of the driveway where Aftab Hussein would park his vehicle. Keller has acknowledged the challenges for New Mexicos largest city. Why is violent crime going up in Albuquerque? Naeem Hussain, a Muslim man from Pakistan, was discovered fatally woundedin the area of Truman Street and Grand Avenue just before midnight on Friday, police said. Detectives on Thursday determined there is a connection between the Aug. 1, 2022, murder of Muhammed Afzaal Hussain, 27, and the July 26, 2022, murder of Aftab (U.S. District Court/AP). Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. What should I do if I am stopped by a police officer? , VIDEO: Giant I-40 light poles sway in strong ABQ, Taxidermy birds used to make drones at New Mexico, PHOTOS: Storm leaves parts of state covered in snow, PHOTOS: Winter storm moves through NM leaving snow, PHOTOS: Storm causes snowy, icy roads across New, Map: New Mexico Veterans Monuments and Memorials, 13 Broadcast Pl SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Data from APD. Its not just in spite of our challenges, but because of them, he said after being sworn in Saturday. The rise in fentanyl deals may also contribute, according to Hartsock. Central Avenue, for example, is just infamous for being sort of the seedier part of Albuquerque. And sure enough, in recent years homicides have clustered near Central especially between EXPO New Mexico and Eubank. Additionally, APD has added new detectives to the homicide unit. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT TRIES TO SPEAK IN COURT; FAMILY REPORTEDLY SAYS HE WAS HOME AT TIME OF SLAYINGS. But in the last few years, that average rose, reaching a new high this year, according to data from the FBI. That includes Chicago, which marked one of its most violent years on record. This undated file photo released by the City of Espaola shows Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, a planning and land use director who was killed in Albuquerque, N.M., on Aug. 1, 2022. Market data provided by Factset. However, with a record homicide rate in 2021 (88 according to the City of Albuquerque, as of October 1), the four year-average under Mayor Tim Keller is on track to surpass the previous administrations homicide rate by 65%. We tripled the number of homicide detectives, and we invested $80 million in crime-fighting technology, he said. Market data provided by Factset. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. In fact, the Albuquerque Police Department counted 10 more homicides than in 2021, the previous record-setting year. The motivation for that crime boils down to stolen marijuana and money. In the first three quarters of 2021, Albuquerque had 111 violent crimes per 10,000 people, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). ", This undated file photo released by the City of Espaola shows Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, a planning and land use director who was killed in Albuquerque, N.M., on Aug. 1, 2022. Still, Medina is hopeful. Syed, the suspect, has "denied having any involvement in the murders in this case," according to a criminal complaint. All rights reserved. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Albuquerque homicides now account for more than half of the entire states yearly homicide count. Ten minutes after the shooting, the motion states the men shared a second call as their phones remained in the "general area of the murder.". The 311 Community Contact Center is a centralized call center for the City of Albuquerque. In December of last year, Kyle Hartsock, the deputy commander overseeing the departments Criminal Investigations Division spoke about why on KRQE News 13s podcast. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Syed, the main suspect in the slaying of four Muslim men in Albuquerque has committed regular acts of violence in the six years since he fled war-ravaged Afghanistan and resettled in the United States, according to police documents and court records. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This link will take you to a site over which the City of Albuquerque has no control. Story tips and ideas can be sent to Paul.Best@fox.com and on Twitter: @KincaidBest. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A 14-year-old New Mexico boy accused of shooting and killing a classmate in 2021 has pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree murder, prosecutors said Thursday. And the triple-digit count sets a never-before-seen record. Shaheen Syed was charged last week with lying about his address when he purchased two guns in 2021. In the first three quarters of 2021, Albuquerque had 111 violent crimes per 10,000 people, according to FBI data. But, its worth remembering that homicide detectives generally start their work after the crime is already done. Although the FBI updates its data bases regularly it does not update published reports. ALBUQUERQUE POLICE REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING VEHICLE OF INTEREST IN MURDERS OF FOUR MUSLIM MEN. Interactive Slider: New Mexicos homicide rate (estimated from incomplete data) has historically outpaced both neighboring states and the national homicide rate per capita. Whats driving New Mexicos Fentanyl Crisis? FILE - Family members wait to pick up students after a fatal shooting at Washington Middle School in Albuquerque, N.M., on Aug. 13, 2021. In 2019, there were You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Albuquerque police have detained and charged a man they say is the primary suspect in the killings of four Muslim men, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina tweeted Tuesday. Its been a tough year, Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina told reporters at a November 8 news conference. Albuquerque recorded 76 murders in 2020, four fewer than in 2019. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Four men all from South Asia and all of whom practice the Muslim faith have been ambushed, shot and killed since November 2021, police have said. The guns were seized during a search of the family's home; and testing determined bullet casings found at the July 25 and Aug. 1 shootings matched the rifle that belonged to Muhammad Syed. NIBRS is the most current national framework for reporting crime and replaces the FBIs Summary Reporting System (SRS). (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via AP), "We are just completely shocked," she said, "and still trying to comprehend and understand what happened, how and why.". All Rights Reserved. spoke about why on KRQE News 13s podcast, Rio Bravo Park cleanup will take longer than expected, Gun safety bill passes Senate, faces one more hurdle, Restaurants still struggling to recover from COVID, Roswell PD: Woman steals, drives wrong-way to get, State basketball tournament: Girls first round recap, BCSO: Kids were living in dirty home containing drugs, Local casino hosts National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show, UNM police arrest man for giving false ID, fleeing, Man connected to political shootings to stay behind, Case dismissed for teen accused of taking gun to, Roswell man arrested in shooting of NMSP officers, Rust asst.