APD Arrests Woman after Early-Morning Shooting Death of Her Father

Albuquerque –

Today, detectives from the Albuquerque Police Department arrested Summer Coughran in connection with the early-morning shooting death of her father.

At approximately 2:45 AM, Summer Coughran, 28, called 911 and reported that she had shot her father, Kirk Coughran, 65, inside their home in the 4700 block of Wildfire Road NW. During the call, Coughran told the dispatcher that her father assaulted her and that he had assaulted her throughout her entire life.

Responding officers found Kirk Coughran inside the residence with fatal gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

Homicide detectives interviewed Summer Coughran and noted that she provided inconsistent statements that did not align with the physical evidence. She was also unable to describe any actions by her father that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their life.

During the investigation, detectives reviewed several prior police reports involving Summer Coughran, including one indicating she had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. In that incident, her father told police she may have been off her medication and he declined to press charges against her.

Looking at past court records and criminal complaints, prosecutors charged Coughran with aggravated assault upon a peace officer on December 24, 2024. Days later, another relative sought and obtained a restraining order after expressing concerns for their safety due to threats of physical violence made by Summer Coughran.

Detectives, after consulting with the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, have now charged Summer Coughran with an open count of murder, and she will be booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center.