Today the Albuquerque Police Department released details of an officer-involved shooting that occurred on March 20, 2025, at 700 86th St., S.W.
Homicide: September 2024
Julian Garcia was wanted for his role in a shoot-out that resulted in the execution-style shooting of a man on Sept. 19, 2024 in the International War Zone District at 335 Grove St., S.E.
Two people were killed during the shooting, including Garcia’s uncle, James Garcia. Witnesses told detectives that Ezekiel Brown, 32, approached James Garcia, 34, and asked Garcia if he remembered him. Brown then shot Garcia in the face. Evidence showed that two people returned gunfire, striking Brown, who fell to the ground.
Detectives determined that James Garcia was placed in a vehicle to be driven to the hospital. At the same time, a bystander attempted to perform CPR to Brown. Witnesses, including the woman performing CPR, said a man, later determined to be Julian Garcia, approached Brown and shot him three times at close range as he lay on the ground
Police arrived on scene where Brown was determined to be deceased. Shortly after that, police learned that a man was dropped off at University of New Mexico Hospital with gunshot wounds. They later determined that man was James Garcia, who also died at the hospital as a result of his gunshot wounds.
Detectives received photos of James Garcia being dropped off at the hospital. Detectives later determined the identity of his nephew, Julian Garcia, who is shown in those photos from the hospital.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Julian Garcia on Feb. 12, 2025. He was charged with an open count of murder.
Officer-Involved Shooting: March 20, 2025
APD detectives had been searching for Garcia since he was charged this year in February. Detectives with APD’s Secret Investigative Support Unit worked with homicide detectives from the date of the murder six months earlier. Detectives saw a social media post that Garcia posted after the murder that showed Garcia armed with handgun, boasting about needing “more bodies.” Detectives explained that was in fact a threat to shoot even more people.
Detectives made contact with Garcia on March 20, 2025 around 6 p.m. in the area of Unser Blvd. and Sage Rd., S.W. As detectives pulled up in a vehicle with their emergency lights engaged, Garcia fled on foot westbound through an open space area. A second detective chased Garcia and gave several commands for Garcia to stop. That detective deployed a less-lethal round during the pursuit, which appeared to strike Garcia in the lower back, but Garcia continued to run toward a nearby neighborhood. The detective who fired the less-lethal round called out that Garcia had a gun.
The second detective who was armed with a rifle said he thought Garcia presented a deadly threat to the first detective. But he did not initially see a gun in Garcia’s hands. As both detectives continued to chase him, the second detective said he saw Garcia take longer strides and he was swinging his arms. At that point, he saw a handgun in Garcia’s left hand. The first detective also said he saw a gun in Garcia’s left hand around the same time.
The detectives said it appeared Garcia was about to climb over the wall. Both detectives, who were separated by several feet, both stopped at the same time. The first detective fired another less-lethal round.
The second detective, who was about 145 feet away from Garcia, fired his rifle two times, striking Garcia.
No officers were injured. Garcia was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his wounds. He remains hospitalized.
Over the next several months, APD will continue to investigate and analyze this incident. Detectives will continue interviewing any new witnesses that come forward and complete any forensic tests. The Multi-Agency Task Force will forward its case to the District Attorney’s Office to make any determination of criminal charges.
APD says their Internal Affairs Force Division will also investigate the shooting to determine whether their department’s policies were followed. The results of the administrative investigation will be forwarded to the city’s Superintendent of Police Reform to make final decisions on discipline.
APD’s Force Review Board, made up of deputy chiefs, will review the incident to identify trends and potential policy changes that may be needed in response to any shortcomings that are identified.
SUBJECT: Julian Garcia, 19
INVOLVED OFFICERS: UN-NAMED Detective 1, who has been with the department since 2007, has been involved in five prior officer-involved shootings.