As a result, violent crime including Albuquerques homicides are the result of what Huffmyer calls a mishmash of complex factors. Its similar populations, its similar locations in Albuquerque every year, he says. Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murder Thursday in the 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. The City will also be working with the police departments serving the University of New Mexico and the Albuquerque Public School system, working to ensure students are safely returning to their respective campuses, Keller wrote. Crime Statistics Our Department Officer Wellness Internal Affairs Behavioral Sciences Section Sexual Assault Evidence Kit The most recent survey data from 66 police departments across the US show that the majority of those departments have reported an increase in the number of homicides from January to October 2021 compared to the same time frame in 2020. Its not clear why New Mexico is particularly prone to violence. Aftab Hussein, 41, was shot and killed on July 26 after parking his car near his home. 3 Mar. But Albuquerques increase is above average according to data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) The man who was murdered outside of a Nob Hill home over the weekend has been identified. The teen was initially charged with an open count of murder and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon on school premises. It isnt violent for you to just sit and smoke weed, but do you have any idea how that got here? he asks. Over the past 35 years, Albuquerques yearly homicide count has averaged about 45 homicides per year, KRQE reported. Syed's son, 21-year-old Shaheen Syed, is also behind bars for allegedly providing a false address when he purchased a gun in June 2021. Police Chief Harold Medina has repeatedly said changes in the judicial system are needed. FILE - Family members wait to pick up students after a fatal shooting at Washington Middle School in Albuquerque, N.M., on Aug. 13, 2021. Albuquerques homicide count rose by about 30% in that time. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP, File). 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 shooting happened during the lunch hour at the school in front of numerous students who had returned for the fall semester just two days earlier. Liz Thomson points out that there does appear to be similar connections among Albuquerques homicides. Whats driving New Mexicos Fentanyl Crisis? "The evidence that agents have been able to gather thus far in this rapidly unfolding investigation is obviously alarming with respect to the defendants short and frequent communications with his father both before and after the murder of Naeem Hussain," the motion stated. But it is important to note that the numbers in this report differ slightly from the numbers published in the FBI reports. That put Albuquerque in the top 10 most violent cities with populations over 100,000 people. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The middle school shooting spurred legislation that ended up stalling during last years session. Just days after the most recent murder of a Muslim man rocked a community already on edge, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said the City is extending its police efforts beyond the investigation into the slayings and person or people behind them. Police, however, are still being tight-lipped about any possible suspects. By this time last year, there were only 18. And in Albuquerque, it has always been a huge obstacle.. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. So one could argue that that was a drug-related crime, Thomson says. We tripled the number of homicide detectives, and we invested $80 million in crime-fighting technology, he said. Court documents filed in federal court provided more details about Naeem Hussain's killing, saying it appeared he had been followed to Lutheran Family Services, the resettlement agency, following funeral services for two of the other shooting victims. According to the Albuquerque Journal, 27-year-old Muhammed Afzaal Hussain was shot and killed on Aug. 1, while 41-year-old Aftab Hussein was killed on July 26. (City of Espaola via AP, File). In recent years, the data showed that inane, petty disputes increasingly sparked killings. Legal Statement. The 311 service is a single telephone number for all non-emergency City of Albuquerque inquiries and services. Albuquerque police release body camera video of murder suspect being arrested. The four menall Muslimand from South Asia were ambushed, shot, and killed in Albuquerque since November 2021. 3 Mar. Albuquerque Community Connect Camera Registry and Integration. And even data on violent crimes doesnt paint the full picture. 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. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. However, with a record homicide rate in 2021 (88 according to the City of Albuquerque , The official website for the City of Albuquerque. 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. On Sunday,the Albuquerque Police Department released images of a vehicle that they believe to have been used for transport in the four murders. As for why there were more homicides in 2022, Hartsock explained that theres no single, clear answer. Still, when it comes to identifying potential causes, the things that have held to be true, he says, are things such as poverty, things like the disintegration of a traditional family structure, [and] substance abuse.. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. In fact, the Albuquerque Police Department counted 10 more homicides than in 2021, the previous record-setting year. In the past, she says, it was easy to point the finger at political scapegoats or at gang violence. Shaheen Syed was charged last week with lying about his address when he purchased two guns in 2021. Legal Statement. Four men in total all Muslims from South Asia were ambushed, shot, and killed in Albuquerque since November 2021. KRQE News 13 reported that 2022 federal fentanyl busts around Albuquerque have been among the largest ever. Now, the APD is about 200 officers short of being fully staffed, he adds. Yet one of the most basic crime prevention strategies is to make a place look clean, inviting, and cared for, she says. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT TRIES TO SPEAK IN COURT; FAMILY REPORTEDLY SAYS HE WAS HOME AT TIME OF SLAYINGS. His attorney had raised issues of the boys competency early on, saying the teen needed counseling and treatment for mental health issues. But, there are mixed feelings on the effectiveness of simply increasing police presence in troubled areas. Authorities have yet to confirm that information. This file photo released Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, by the Albuquerque Police Department shows Muhammad Syed. In the most recent murder, 25-year-old Naeem Hussain was shot and killed in the parking lot of Lutheran Family Services, a resettlement agency. Legal Statement. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. It looks like nobody cares, Thomson says. Casings found at one of the crime scenes also matched a handgun found in the elder Syed's vehicle when he was taken into custody, according to a criminal complaint. 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. On Aug. 1, the third victim, local city planner Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, was gunned down, police said. This was a terrible tragedy for everyone involved, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said in a statement Thursday. A ShotSpotter activation showed 13 gunshots were fired. APD Homicide List for WEB SITE (as of 17MAY2021).pdf Its not just in spite of our challenges, but because of them, he said after being sworn in Saturday. Story tips and ideas can be sent to Paul.Best@fox.com and on Twitter: @KincaidBest. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via AP). According to the criminal complaint, Syed "waited behind a bush, north of the driveway where Aftab Hussein would park his vehicle. All rights reserved. In 2018, the Albuquerque Police Department began reporting crime statistics using the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Family members of many victims have been frustrated. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. director wont appear in Santa Fe for, Hobbs woman sentenced for stealing car with kids, New Mexico man accused of sex crime against student, Elderly man who killed sister takes plea deal, Data shows shootings, other reports at Adam Food, ABQ man arrested after a fight broke out at Main, FBI finds guns in felons Albuquerque home, Suspect charged in murder of 15-yr-old Gallup boy, ABQ man takes plea deal for road rage incident, More from KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos, 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. That put Albuquerque in the top 10 most violent Theyre up to 16 detectives and two sergeants, a number Liz Thomson says is a reasonable amount to handle Albuquerques homicide caseload. Still, Medina is hopeful. Homicides, of course, contribute to the violent reputation. But so far, 2021 homicides have been occurring further east. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Yes, we have gangs. While homicides cluster along Central Avenue, this year brought violent crime to many different neighborhoods. Bregman said he hoped the plea would bring some closure to the family, who was in court Thursday. 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. Anderson also included a photo of a Florida drivers license issued to Shaheen Syed in 2021, contradicting prosecutors' claims that he misrepresented himself as a Florida resident while making a purchase at an Albuquerque gun store. Across the country, many police departments are reporting an increase in homicides. 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, March 2, 2023. 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. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. , 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. Market data provided by Factset. Data from FBI UCR Program. 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. What should I do if I am stopped by a police officer? Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. There, officers discovered Aftab Hussein "lying next to a silver Hyundai sedan at" nearby, with multiple apparent gunshot wounds. Although the FBI updates its data bases regularly it does not update published reports. In 2018, the Albuquerque Police Department began reporting crime statistics using the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Incident-Based Reporting All rights reserved. Some worked to bring attention to gun violence through a national memorial effort in the fall.