ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A chaotic scene unfolded last month at an Albuquerque gas station, where police officers shot and killed a gunman, inadvertently wounding three innocent bystanders. Newly released video footage sheds light on the events that transpired on the evening of November 11 at the Speedway gas station near San Mateo Boulevard and I-40.
The incident began when employees called 911, reporting that 33-year-old Anthony Hernandez, who appeared intoxicated, had brandished a firearm inside the store. Although Hernandez did not make any direct threats, his behavior alarmed those present. He was accompanied by his three-year-old daughter and was seen dropping a cartridge, which the child handed back to him before they exited the premises.
Shortly after, Hernandez was observed outside the gas station, allegedly pointing his weapon and behaving menacingly toward people in the parking lot. Officers arrived at the scene around 6:15 p.m., attempting to detain Hernandez, who initially walked towards them with his gun concealed behind his back.
As tensions escalated, Hernandez turned and fired a single shot, prompting officers to return fire. In the ensuing exchange, bullets struck a nearby vehicle, injuring both a male driver, who was shot in the hand, and a female passenger, who was hit in the arm. Another man standing close to Hernandez sustained a gunshot wound to the torso.
Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officials later confirmed that the bystanders were hit by officers’ bullets. Remarkably, Hernandez’s daughter was unharmed, thanks to another bystander who shielded her during the gunfire.
Chief Harold Medina described the scene as one of the most challenging situations officers have faced, requiring split-second decisions in the face of an immediate threat. Officers fired a total of ten rounds in response to Hernandez’s single shot, resulting in his death at the scene.
The three-year-old girl was not injured, and the officers involved have been placed on standard administrative leave pending an investigation. The incident has sparked discussions about police protocols and the complexities of handling armed suspects in public spaces.
The community remains on edge as authorities continue to review the case, with many questioning the circumstances that led to bystanders being caught in the crossfire. The incident highlights the unpredictable nature of police encounters and the potential for unintended consequences.