Albuquerque Police Officers Shoot Armed Man inside a Crowded Supermarket

 

Albuquerque, New Mexico — June 24, 2023: A high-risk encounter between Albuquerque Police and a 41-year-old man with multiple felony warrants ended in a deadly shootout at a local grocery store, disrupting an otherwise routine Saturday afternoon for shoppers.

The incident began around 3:30 p.m. when officers located a man, later identified as Mark Peter, passed out in a vehicle parked at an AutoZone store. The location was situated across the street from the El Mezquite Market. Officers ran the license plate of the vehicle and quickly learned that Peter had multiple active felony warrants out for his arrest. Among these was a serious charge for drug trafficking, stemming from an earlier arrest in April by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. In that previous case, Peter had also been found unconscious in a vehicle, with authorities later discovering firearms and narcotics inside.

Upon confirming his identity, officers surrounded the parked vehicle and attempted to engage Peter. They issued numerous verbal commands, giving him multiple opportunities to exit the car peacefully. For a short time, Peter remained unresponsive. Eventually, he woke up and refused to comply with the officers’ commands. In a sudden move, Peter attempted to flee the scene in his car.

To prevent a high-speed chase and protect public safety, police deployed tire-deflation devices, successfully disabling the vehicle. Despite the damage, Peter exited the car and fled on foot toward the nearby El Mezquite Market, located just across the street. Body camera and surveillance footage later confirmed that officers gave chase as Peter entered the crowded grocery store.

Inside the store, filled with customers shopping and waiting in checkout lines, chaos erupted. Two officers attempted to subdue Peter using their Tasers. However, Peter pulled out a handgun and began firing at the officers. Eyewitnesses described the panic that ensued as customers ducked for cover between aisles and behind counters.

The officers returned fire in response to the life-threatening situation. Investigators later determined that Peter fired 13 rounds at the pursuing officers. In turn, police discharged their weapons a total of 45 times during the confrontation. The shootout occurred in mere seconds but had the potential for devastating consequences given the number of civilians present.

Miraculously, no bystanders were physically harmed during the exchange. However, the intense gunfire left a lasting impact on those who witnessed the violent encounter. Police were able to quickly secure the scene and evacuate shoppers from the building. Mark Peter was struck by police gunfire and collapsed inside the store. Officers rendered emergency medical aid until paramedics arrived, but Peter succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Following the incident, detectives secured a search warrant for Peter’s vehicle, the same car he had been found sleeping in earlier that day. Inside, they recovered a firearm and a quantity of illegal drugs, consistent with his prior arrest involving narcotics and weapons.

Albuquerque Police officials held a press briefing in the days following the shooting, during which they confirmed Peter’s criminal history and active warrants. They emphasized that officers had attempted to de-escalate the situation prior to the deadly encounter. The department is conducting a full review of body-worn camera footage and store surveillance as part of their standard officer-involved shooting protocol.

The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, in accordance with department policy. Meanwhile, community members and store employees have expressed shock and relief that no innocent lives were lost during the incident.

Authorities have not released the names of the officers involved. The investigation remains ongoing.