Latest New Mexico news, sports, business and entertainment at 3:20 a.m. MST
BC-NM-FATAL SHOOTOUT
1 dead, 2 others hurt after a shootout near Albuquerque park
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say one person is dead and two others injured after a shootout near a southwest Albuquerque park. City police say officers police responded to reports of multiple people shot near Westgate Community Park on Saturday night. They say there was an exchange of gunfire between an unknown number of people. Police say one person was found dead at the scene. Two other people had to be taken to the hospital, with one of them listed in critical condition. Police say homicide detectives have started an investigation into the shooting.
HISTORIC SCHOOL-PRESERVATION
City revisits turning historic school into community center
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — Elected officials in Alamogordo have reopened a discussion about rehabilitating and transforming the historic Dudley School into a community center. The school is one of the oldest structures in the southern New Mexico city. City commissioners heard a presentation about the $557,000 project during a recent meeting. The project had been put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Joe Lewandowski of the Tularosa Basin Historical Society said his group wants to save and restore the building because of its role in Alamogordo's history. Built in 1914, the four-room schoolhouse served Hispanic students during the first half of the 20th century.
BC-NM-ELECTION 2022-REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Results of New Mexico GOP pre-primary convention postponed
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The state Republican Party has postponed releasing pre-primary convention results after its electronic voting system encountered glitches. Party officials say they moved to a back-up plan to have paper ballots in the interest of election integrity after the software malfunction Saturday. They say the paper ballot voting went smoothly and the results will be released once all ballots are properly counted. GOP contenders for Congress and statewide elected office are competing for positions on the primary ballot ahead of the June vote. The Republican convention will determine who gets on the primary ballot with at least 20% of endorsement votes and who gets top billing with the highest approval.
BC-POLICE SHOOTING-VALENCIA COUNTY
Police: Suspect fatally shot after driving wrong way on I-25
BELEN, N.M. (AP) — Law enforcement officers shot and killed a crime suspect whose pickup crashed after being driven the wrong way on Interstate 25 while being pursued in Valencia County south of metro Albuquerque. The New Mexico State Police said Saturday that two Bernalillo County sheriff's deputies and a NMSP officer fired at the man Friday night after he was given "numerous commands to exit the vehicle and surrender peacefully," An NMSP statement did not elaborate on circumstances immediately before the gunfire. The man's identity was not released but the statement said he was was wanted in an alleged aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a household member.
ALBUQUERQUE-TEEN SHOOTING
Suspect, 14, arrested in fatal shooting of Albuquerque teen
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque police say a 14-year-old boy has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy who accused the younger boy of stealing his gun. Police said Saturday that the suspect was arrested in Friday's killing of Andrew Burson near a high school that both boys attended. Police say Burson was shot after he accused the 14-year-old of stealing a gun Burson purchased over the internet. Police say the suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder and tampering with evidence. Court records didn't list an attorney who could speak on his behalf. The Associated Press generally does not identify juveniles accused of crimes
LEGISLATURE-LAWMAKER ARREST
New Mexico lawmaker pleads not guilty, won't seek reelection
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico lawmaker charged with drunken driving during this year's Legislative session won't seek reelection. Albuquerque Rep. Georgene Louis says in a statement through her lawyer that she's been honored to serve her constituents the past 10 years but won't try to run again to keep her seat in the House. Louis, a lawyer for Tesuque Pueblo and a one-time congressional candidate, was seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party. Louis initially apologized following her arrest but hasn't commented on details later revealed in a video of it. The video shows her identifying herself as a lawmaker and flashing her credentials.
SOCIAL MEDIA-FREE SPEECH
Appeals court: Politician's Facebook feed not a public forum
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A federal appeals court has rejected a lawsuit that accused an elected county commissioner in southern New Mexico of free speech violations for blocking a resident from discussions on the politician's personal Facebook page. The 10th Circuit Court in Denver sided Friday with County Commissioner Couy Griffin in the dispute over his social media account and whether it functioned as a public forum concerning county affairs, with guarantees to public access and free speech. Griffin is the cofounder of the group Cowboys for Trump and was suspended indefinitely from Facebook in the aftermath of his arrest in connection with the Jan. 6. insurrection on the U.S. Capitol.
ALBUQUERQUE-TEEN SHOOTING
Albuquerque police name 16-year-old shot near his school
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a teenager was shot and killed across the street from an Albuquerque school, and they have information about a possible suspect. Police said Friday morning's shooting appeared to have stemmed from an altercation between a 16-year-old West Mesa High School student and another minor. Police say the student killed was Andrew Burson. The suspect has not been named. City and school officials say the gun was not brought onto campus. But they say more needs to be done to ensure children don't have access to firearms. Classes are canceled at the high school Monday.