Jul. 5—The Albuquerque Police Department identified a 21-year-old who was shot by officers after pulling out an airsoft gun on Friday in the southwest part of the city.
APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said Jerry Baldonado is in critical condition at a hospital. He said the gun Baldonado pointed at officers turned out to be an airsoft gun shaped like a revolver.
At least one officer fired at Baldonado and is on paid leave, according to APD.
Baldonado, who has prior run-ins with law enforcement in Valencia County, has a history of suicidal threats and apparent mental health crises, including one in which he allegedly asked a deputy to shoot him, according to court records.
Friday’s incident marked the ninth time Albuquerque police have shot someone this year.
Officers responded around 12:20 p.m. to a domestic dispute at a home in the 2100 block of South Branch SW, in a neighborhood west of Gibson and 98th, according to police. A 911 caller reported being in a fight with his brother at the house.
APD Chief Harold Medina said in a briefing Friday that when officers arrived, Baldonado approached them “with what appears to be a firearm.” He said the officers told Baldonado to drop the weapon, but he wouldn’t listen.
Medina said at least one officer opened fire. He said they believe Baldonado may have been the one who initially called 911.
It was at least the third time Baldonado has gotten into a confrontation with authorities after calling 911. In two previous cases, he called 911 to threaten suicide and, in another, erroneously reported being shot in the head.
Court records show both incidents ended with Baldonado being charged with battery upon a police officer.
In a 2024 incident, Baldonado pushed a Valencia County deputy while telling him, “I want you to shoot me,” according to court records. In 2022, he allegedly threw a knife at one Los Lunas officer and kicked another.
The 2024 case was dismissed “pending further investigation” and the 2022 case was dismissed when Baldonado was found incompetent to stand trial, court records state.