You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! A spokesperson for the Islamic Center of New Mexico did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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 Four Muslim men murdered in New Mexico, FBI called in for support. His attorney had raised issues of the boys competency early on, saying the teen needed counseling and treatment for mental health issues. A ShotSpotter activation showed 13 gunshots were fired. 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. A funeral service was held for Aftab Hussein, 41, and Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, at the Islamic Center of New Mexico on Friday. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP). ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT TRIES TO SPEAK IN COURT; FAMILY REPORTEDLY SAYS HE WAS HOME AT TIME OF SLAYINGS. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. With the help of an interpreter, he "denied having any involvement in the murders in this case," thecriminal complaint alleges. (Credit: Albuquerque Police Department). But there seems to be more to the violence than just illegal drugs. While homicides cluster along Central Avenue, this year brought violent crime to many different neighborhoods. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The lie that people are told is that drug crimes are nonviolent, Huffmyer says. Prosecutors also presented prior police reports of Shaheen Syed allegedly beating his father and sister and an unrelated incident in which he and his brother were allegedly involved in a shooting outside a Walmart. 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. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.pagones@fox.com and on Twitter: @steph_pagones. Family members told judge that Bennie was missed and that it hurt even more that another child was the one who committed the crime. MURDERS IN ALBUQUERQUE MUSLIM COMMUNITY: NEW MEXICO OFFICIALS OFFERING $20K REWARD FOR INFO LEADING TO KILLER, Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Syed is accused of waiting "behind a bush" for Hussein to park his car before ambushing him, according to court documents. Shaheen Syed, 21, pictured in a 2021 Florida drivers license photo included in court documents. 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. This is a nationwide trend. Young people are getting together usually through social media to sell a small amount of drugs or guns, Gallegos says, and they meet up somewhere and the one party robs the other party and then it turns into a shooting or homicide. Not all of Albuquerques homicides start this way, but recently APD has seen more of these kinds of homicides, Gallegos says. The teen was initially charged with an open count of murder and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon on school premises. All rights reserved. https://www.cabq.gov/police/documents/apd-homicide-list-for-web-site-as-of-17may2021.pdf/view, https://www.cabq.gov/@@site-logo/seal-small.png, Documents Related to APD Settlement Agreement, Documents Related to APD's Settlement Agreement, McClendon v. City of Albuquerque Settlement, Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Backlog Reduction Project. Some worked to bring attention to gun violence through a national memorial effort in the fall. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The data in citywide crime statistics report is based on the official data that APD sends to the FBI. 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. ", 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. Stephanie Pagones is a Digital Reporter for FOX Business and Fox News. The 311 Community Contact Center is a centralized call center for the City of Albuquerque. In 2018, the Albuquerque Police Department began reporting crime statistics using the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Incident-Based Reporting (Albuquerque Police Department via AP, File). Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, a 27-year-old local city planner, was shot and killed on Aug. 1. We know this from exit interviews of officers who have retired or left departments, he says. The boy will remain in state custody until hes 21, the maximum sentence allowed for a child under New Mexico law. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. For non-emergency police calls, call 505-242-COPS. Since 2016, between six and eight homicides per 100,000 people, each year are estimated to have occurred in New Mexico, according to the FBI data. Without fail, they all said, weve been hamstrung; weve been effectively neutered from being able to do our job.'. 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 first incident was reported on Nov. 7, 2021, when 62-year-old Mohammad Ahmadi was discovered shot and killed in the rear parking lot of a halal caf he owned with his brother on San Mateo Boulevard, according to city officials and local affiliate KRQE-TV. Still, Medina is hopeful. Additionally, APD has added new detectives to the homicide unit. Thats why we are pushing forward so fiercely. Data from CABQ/APD. In 2019, there were ' she says. Market data provided by Factset. 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. Its similar populations, its similar locations in Albuquerque every year, he says. Police said the victim 13-year-old Bennie Hargrove was trying to protect another boy who was being bullied. 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. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. (Robert Browman/The Albuquerque Journal via AP), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Both men were killed ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) There were more than 100 homicides in Albuquerque this year. 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. Although the FBI updates its data bases regularly it does not update published reports. The Albuquerque Police Department released body camera video of officers arresting the man who is being charged with the murder of two Muslims and suspected of killing two other Muslims. (Credit: Albuquerque Police Department). Over the last few years, an influx of police-related scandals and Department of Justice scrutiny has led to the shutdown of APD programs and the shrinkage of APDs staff, Gallegos says. 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. This was a terrible tragedy for everyone involved, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said in a statement Thursday. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The most recent murder took place on Friday evening, when Naeem Hussain, from Pakistan, was discovered fatally woundedin the area of Truman Street and Grand Avenue. Market data provided by Factset. In December, the city named 14 people to its gun violence prevention and intervention task force to come up with recommendations over the next 12 months. , New Mexico man accused of sex crime against student, One person dead, another hospitalized in SE ABQ shooting, Case dismissed for teen accused of taking gun to, Dancing in the Cave at the University of New Mexico, Whats happening around New Mexico Feb. 24 Mar. The Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office is investigating another 11 homicides in the areas surrounding the city. Tuesday marked four days since police received word of their most recent murder. Albuquerque Police: Man shoots self, unintentionally kills woman Police say a man shot himself and unintentionally killed a woman when the bullet passed through his The sooner people recognize that there is not one circumstance that is causing this, the better, Huffmyer says. 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. Yet, I can pretty honestly say that I believe Chase Smotherman would have become violent if they had stolen his garden tools.. ALBUQUERQUE POLICE REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING VEHICLE OF INTEREST IN MURDERS OF FOUR MUSLIM MEN. However, with a record homicide rate in 2021 (88 according to the City of Albuquerque , This year began with more homicides than in 2020 and 2019. For example, in 2017, during her time as a sergeant, Thomson saw one of the most heinous murders: the murder of John Soyka. He was originally arrested on Aug. 9. Legal Statement. Investigators said they think those three murders happened in Grants, and Lannon is accused of killing a fourth man in Albuquerque. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Market data provided by Factset. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Albuquerques geographic location, with a north-south-running freeway and ease of access to the border makes this a thoroughfare and hub for a variety of interstate criminal activity, he says. A funeral service was held for Aftab Hussein, 41, and Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, at the Islamic Center of New Mexico on Friday. But, Nicholas Huffmyer, a captain at the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, says that drugs and violence are inevitably linked. All but three of the 2021 killings are being investigated by Albuquerque police, the Albuquerque Journal reported. Police believe three recent murders and a murder that happened on Nov. 7, 2021, could be potentially connected. All Rights Reserved. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Homicide List as of 17 May 2021. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! And a lot of the homicides have occurred in hotels and motels, he says. That count exceeds the 2021 record of 110 homicides counted by APD. We are falling in line with a lot of the other major, big cities, he said. All rights reserved. "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. 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. but officials have called him the "most likely" suspect in the murders of Naeem Hussain and 62-year-old Muhammad Zahir. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Aftab Hussein, 41, was shot and killed on July 26 after parking his car near his home. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. All rights reserved. Albuquerque, however, has seen a bigger rise in homicides than many similarly-sized cities, according to data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association, a group that represents police executives in large cities across the US. 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. 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. In fact, the Albuquerque Police Department counted 10 more homicides than in 2021, the previous record-setting year. Whats driving New Mexicos Fentanyl Crisis? (U.S. District Court), A reporter asked at a press conference earlier this month if Syed, a Sunni Muslim, could have been driven by anger that his daughter married a Shiite Muslim. Shaheen Syed, 21, pictured in a 2021 Florida drivers license photo included in court documents. By JEFFREY COLLINS and JAMES POLLARD, Associated Press. APD sends NIBRS data to the FBI on a semiannual basis and this data is based on the reports available at that point in time. Fox News's Stephanie Pagones contributed to this report. Data from FBI UCR Program. It changed the Hargrove family forever and devastated hundreds of children, parents, school faculty and the community.. But Albuquerques increase is above average according to data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association. Family members of many victims have been frustrated. 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. Authorities have yet to confirm that information. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Shaheen Syed, left, possibly helped his father, Muhammad Syed, right, surveillance one of his alleged victims. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Police are probing whether he was also involved in the murder. 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. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. It isnt violent for you to just sit and smoke weed, but do you have any idea how that got here? he asks. At the time, the city was on pace to shatter its homicide record and top officials described the violence as a scourge. Market data provided by Factset. Why is violent crime going up in Albuquerque? 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. Homicides are generally concentrated in communities that have chronically high levels of firearm violence, disparities, racial and ethnic disparities, segregation, underemployment, [and] poverty, says Christopher Lyons, a professor of sociology at the University of New Mexico. or redistributed. 3 Mar. Homicide data from APD; map data from UNM RGIS/US Census, Its just a part of Albuquerque that looks like theres no oversight there. That put Albuquerque in the top 10 most violent SON OF AFGHAN ALLEGED GUNMAN IN NEW MEXICO KILLINGS OF MUSLIM MEN POSSIBLY ASSISTED MURDER PLOT: FEDS, Shaheen Syed, left, possibly helped his father, Muhammad Syed, right, surveillance one of his alleged victims. Several months before that, on Nov. 7, 2021, 62-year-old Mohammad Ahmadi was discovered shot and killed in the rear parking lot of a halal caf he owned with his brother on San Mateo Boulevard, according to city officials and local affiliate KRQE-TV. 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). All rights reserved. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via AP). Albuquerque police say the first homicide happened on Nov. 7, 2021. In the first three quarters of 2021, Albuquerque had 111 violent crimes per 10,000 people, according to FBI data. As a result, violent crime including Albuquerques homicides are the result of what Huffmyer calls a mishmash of complex factors. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. And the problem extends far beyond Central. He said public behavior has changed dramatically in the last two years. Hartsock also notes that the department instituted regular check-ins on open murder cases to help come up with new ideas into investigations. The son of a New Mexico man suspected of gunning down four Muslim men over the course of several months will remain in custody pending trial for allegedly using a bogus address to buy a gun last year. We tripled the number of homicide detectives, and we invested $80 million in crime-fighting technology, he said. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. 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. 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. In recent years, the data showed that inane, petty disputes increasingly sparked killings. The most recent murder took place on Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murder Thursday in the Yet one of the most basic crime prevention strategies is to make a place look clean, inviting, and cared for, she says. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. But the deputy commander speculated that there are many factors possibly contributing: A larger number of guns on the street, lingering effects of the pandemic, and the ease of finding victims on social media, among others. Over the past 35 years, Albuquerques yearly homicide count has averaged about 45 homicides per year, KRQE reported. An attorney for Syed did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. To some extent, data supports Medinas claim. Legal Statement. 3 Mar. And before then, 41-year-old Aftab Hussein was fatally wounded on July 26, 2022. 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.". As of April 18, 2021, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) recorded 35 homicides across the city. 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. Just having a police car patrolling in a neighborhood on a regular basis acts as a deterrent, he says. Fox News' Danielle Wallace and The Associated Press contributed to this report. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT SAID HE WAS GOING TO TEXAS TO FIND NEW HOME, REFERENCED 'SHOOTING OF MUSLIMS': COPS. People see a camera and they feel better, but cameras dont necessarily prevent crime, she says. 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. KRQE News 13 reported that 2022 federal fentanyl busts around Albuquerque have been among the largest ever. Statistics released by Chicago police over the weekend listed 797 homicides 25 more than were recorded in 2020 and the most since 1996. The average police department saw a 7% rise in homicides, the data shows. Albuquerque has had more than one homicide over beer pong, she says to illustrate her point. But, its worth remembering that homicide detectives generally start their work after the crime is already done. A ShotSpotter activation showed 13 gunshots were fired, following by additional rounds, in the area of 417 Rhode Island Street, police documents show.