This year, Albuquerque police have investigated more homicides than any time in the last 35 years. 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 the past, she says, it was easy to point the finger at political scapegoats or at gang violence. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT SAID HE WAS GOING TO TEXAS TO FIND NEW HOME, REFERENCED 'SHOOTING OF MUSLIMS': COPS. 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. That put Albuquerque in the top 10 most violent (Credit: Albuquerque Police Department). For example, in 2017, during her time as a sergeant, Thomson saw one of the most heinous murders: the murder of John Soyka. Law enforcement officials in New Mexico identified 51-year-old Muhammad Syed as the primary suspect in a string of killings of Muslim men in Albuquerque over WebOn Tuesday, Albuquerque police announced that they had arrested a suspect in the recent murders of three South Asian Muslim men, which may be connected to another killing last year. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Four men all from South Asia and all of whom practice the Muslim faith have been ambushed, shot and killed since November 2021, police have said. Data from APD. 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. Ahmadi was from Afghanistan, police said. On Sunday,the Albuquerque Police Department released images of a vehicle that they believe to have been used for transport in the four murders. , 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. 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). Bregman said he hoped the plea would bring some closure to the family, who was in court Thursday. Keller has acknowledged the challenges for New Mexicos largest city. By JEFFREY COLLINS and JAMES POLLARD, Associated Press. This is a nationwide trend. By August, Albuquerque had already equaled its record for homicides with 81, set in 2019. 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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Shots were fired at his SUV around 4 p.m., striking him in the head and the arm. Its similar populations, its similar locations in Albuquerque every year, he says. But, there are mixed feelings on the effectiveness of simply increasing police presence in troubled areas. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Police believe three recent murders and a murder that happened on Nov. 7, 2021, could be potentially connected. 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. , 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. He was originally arrested on Aug. 9. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. All rights reserved. In fact, the Albuquerque Police Department counted 10 more homicides than in 2021, the previous record-setting year. He said public behavior has changed dramatically in the last two years. Albuquerque police say the first homicide happened on Nov. 7, 2021. People see a camera and they feel better, but cameras dont necessarily prevent crime, she says. Over the past 35 years, Albuquerques yearly homicide count has averaged about 45 homicides per year, KRQE reported. This link will take you to a site over which the City of Albuquerque has no control. But it is important to note that the numbers in this report differ slightly from the numbers published in the FBI reports. All rights reserved. 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 contents of any site or link not maintained by the City does not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of the City of Albuquerque, its officials, agents or employees. The City assumes no responsibility for the content of the material contained at that site or for the accuracy of any information that is found there. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) 2022 brought a record number of homicides to Albuquerque. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP, File). Fox News's Stephanie Pagones contributed to this report. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) The man who was murdered outside of a Nob Hill home over the weekend has been identified. And the triple-digit count sets a never-before-seen record. On Aug. 1, the third victim, local city planner Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, was gunned down in the area of Cornell Drive Southeast and Garfield Avenue Southeast, police said. (U.S. District Court/AP). Legal Statement. To some extent, data supports Medinas claim. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT TRIES TO SPEAK IN COURT; FAMILY REPORTEDLY SAYS HE WAS HOME AT TIME OF SLAYINGS. However, with a record homicide rate in 2021 (88 according to the City of Albuquerque , 2023 The City of Albuquerque. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. But, its worth remembering that homicide detectives generally start their work after the crime is already done. Stephanie Pagones is a Digital Reporter for FOX Business and Fox News. It isnt violent for you to just sit and smoke weed, but do you have any idea how that got here? he asks. That includes Chicago, which marked one of its most violent years on record. Albuquerque Police Deputy Commander Kyle Hartsock said at the time that "the motives are still being explored fully to understand what they are.". Shaheen Syed, 21, pictured in a 2021 Florida drivers license photo included in court documents. Huffmyer explains that because crime data from different jurisdictions and different times fall under different reporting standards, the data that does exist comes from a flawed collection method. On top of that, the sociology of crime is complex, to put it lightly. The four men all Muslim and from South Asia were ambushed, shot, and killed in Albuquerque since November 2021. Syed is accused of waiting "behind a bush" for Hussein to park his car before ambushing him, according to court documents. Legal Statement. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. An Imam leads a group of men during the Dhuhr afternoon prayer at the Islamic Center of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, after the fourth Muslim man was murdered in the city. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal via AP), "We are just completely shocked," she said, "and still trying to comprehend and understand what happened, how and why.". spoke about why on KRQE News 13s podcast, 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, Man connected to political shootings to stay behind, Case dismissed for teen accused of taking gun to, Roswell man arrested in shooting of NMSP officers, Rust asst. 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. Rather, homicides were often simply disputes that spun out of control. Market data provided by Factset. The lie that people are told is that drug crimes are nonviolent, Huffmyer says. While homicides cluster along Central Avenue, this year brought violent crime to many different neighborhoods. "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. Many police departments saw an increase in homicides this year. Squabbles over drugs and not necessarily large amounts of drugs have often led to homicides in the past. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 3 Mar. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The data in citywide crime statistics report is based on the official data that APD sends to the FBI. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. (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. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Additionally, APD has added new detectives to the homicide unit. Theyre up to 16 detectives and two sergeants, a number Liz Thomson says is a reasonable amount to handle Albuquerques homicide caseload. FILE - This Aug. 9, 2020, still image taken from officer video provided by the Albuquerque Police Department shows the arrest of Muhammad Syed. A funeral service was held for Aftab Hussein, 41, and Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, at the Islamic Center of New Mexico on Friday. That count exceeds the 2021 record of 110 homicides counted by APD. The 311 Community Contact Center is a centralized call center for the City of Albuquerque. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. On Aug. 1, the third victim, local city planner Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, was gunned down, police said. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The contents of any site or link not maintained by the City does not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of the City of Albuquerque, its officials, agents or employees. The 311 service is a single telephone number for all non-emergency City of Albuquerque inquiries and services. Former FBI investigator Bill Daly breaks down the case as law enforcement investigates the attack. His father, 51-year-old Muhammad Syed, has so far been charged with murder for two of the slayings the deaths of Muhammad Afzaal Hussain and Aftab Hussein. Syed, the suspect, has "denied having any involvement in the murders in this case," according to a criminal complaint. An Imam leads a group of men during the Dhuhr afternoon prayer at the Islamic Center of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, after the fourth Muslim man was murdered in the city. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP, File). Some of those are drug deals gone wrong. While 2022 brought more homicides, APD also says theyve solved more cases in 2022 than in 2021. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. All of their bodies were found 3 Mar. A spokesperson for the Islamic Center of New Mexico did not respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment. There is one thing that certainly stands in the way of reducing Albuquerques violent crime, says Liz Thomson: In regards to reducing violent crime, investigating and solving violent crime, the blame game is the worst thing, she says. And a lot of the homicides have occurred in hotels and motels, he 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. Four men in total all Muslims from South Asia were ambushed, shot, and killed in Albuquerque since November 2021. Court documents state that two guns purchased by Syed and his father at an Albuquerque gun store in July had been partially painted white. A ShotSpotter activation showed 13 gunshots were fired, following by additional rounds, in the area of 417 Rhode Island Street, police documents show. Albuquerque is just known for abandoned cars, abandoned property.. 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. 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. Both were also Muslim and from Pakistan. A funeral service was held for Aftab Hussein, 41, and Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, at the Islamic Center of New Mexico on Friday. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. So ultimately, there are no easy answers to explain why New Mexico is such a violent place. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Jurors in June convicted Jeremiah Lopez, 42, of first-degree murder and criminal sexual penetration for strangling and raping 27-year-old Krishauna Perez March Nicholas Huffmyer from the sheriffs office says that overwhelming police presence does work. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. All rights reserved. Shaheen Syed, 21, pictured in a 2021 Florida drivers license photo included in court documents. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, At the time, the city was on pace to shatter its homicide record and top officials described the violence as a scourge. 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. Homicide data from APD; map data from UNM RGIS/US Census, Its just a part of Albuquerque that looks like theres no oversight there.