APD Releases Details about a Recent Officer-Involved Shooting

ALBUQUERQUE –

APD released details today of a recent officer-involved shooting that critically injured Claude Laska, 32, along I-40 west of Albuquerque. On November 2, 2025 Laska had shot a man and kidnapped a woman, which led to a police pursuit in the early hours of November 3.

Timeline:

Oct. 9, 2025 – Officer Safety Bulletin

On Oct. 9, APD issued an officer safety and awareness bulletin to all sworn officers regarding Claude Laska, who had an active warrant for his arrest. APD noted in the bulletin that Laska had made statements indicating he might attempt to engage in a violent encounter with law enforcement. Officers were informed that Laska possessed a stolen firearm and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Nov. 2, 2025

6:55 p.m. –

APD dispatch received a call reporting a possible domestic violence incident at 8200 Bridge Blvd., S.W. The caller reported that Laska had arrived at the apartment with his girlfriend, who appeared intoxicated and unresponsive. The caller reported that Laska left the apartment while armed with a handgun and warned that he had threatened violence against police if confronted.

8:09 p.m. –

Officers arrived and learned that paramedics had responded to assist the unresponsive woman. The woman’s mother reported that Laska became involved in a confrontation with her son after he was told to leave the residence.

8:48 p.m. –

A second 911 call came in stating that Laska had returned to the apartment and was firing a handgun. Gunshots were audible over the phone, and the caller reported that a man had been shot.

8:53 p.m. –

Officers returned to the apartment and found a victim who had sustained a gunshot wound to his lower left leg. Witnesses identified Laska as the shooter and reported that he left in a vehicle with a woman, possibly kidnapping his girlfriend in the process.

While officers investigated the shooting, Laska called the mother at the scene. She urged him to surrender, and an officer took over the call. Laska threatened to engage in a shootout with police if they attempted to locate him.

ABQRAW became aware of the apartment shooting as it was unfolding on the night of November 2. According to information received, a suspect involved in that incident reportedly contacted police just before 9:00 PM on November 2 and stated that if officers attempted to take him into custody, he would engage in a confrontation and purportedly shoot it out with police. The suspect was also described as driving a maroon-colored vehicle.

On the morning of November 3, ABQRAW reached out to the Albuquerque Police Department to inquire whether the Crescent Ridge Apartments shooting at 8200 Bridge was related to a separate officer-involved shooting, as a maroon vehicle was observed at the OIS scene on I-40. Questions were sent via email to APD’s civilian public information officers—Gilbert Gallegos, Franchesca Perdue, and Rebecca Atkins—as well as the department’s general PIO email address. No response to our inquiry was ever received.

Nov. 3, 2025

1:56 a.m. –
After interviewing the shooting victim at the hospital, an APD detective arrived at the apartment complex to interview Laska’s girlfriend. She reported that after the shooting, Laska pointed a gun at her and ordered her to get into the car. She said Laska drove to Tijeras, where she jumped out of the vehicle. According to her statement, Laska chased her, pushed her, and struck her on the back of the neck with the handgun. She said that after she reentered the vehicle, Laska hit her on the back of the head and then struck her forehead with the gun. She reported that he threw two phones out of the vehicle before driving back into the city. She said Laska eventually dropped her off, and she walked home.

3:38 a.m. –
Detectives with APD’s Investigative Support Unit and officers with the APD SWAT team surveilled Laska as he drove around Downtown Albuquerque. Officers observed Laska driving near 8200 Bridge Blvd., S.W., the location of the earlier shooting, and eventually caught up with him on Central Ave., S.W. Detectives deployed a Grappler device near Central Ave. and 98th St., but the device did not stop Laska’s vehicle.

Laska continued driving northbound on 98th St., N.W., and eventually entered eastbound I-40. He exited at Rio Grande Blvd., drove beneath the bridge, and then reentered I-40 heading westbound.

4:05 a.m. –
APD’s helicopter monitored Laska as he traveled outside the city limits. He eventually exited the westbound lanes and crossed onto the eastbound lanes, driving back toward Albuquerque. APD Aviation coordinated with New Mexico State Police, who placed a spike belt on eastbound I-40, but Laska avoided the device and continued driving toward the city.

4:07 a.m. –
APD’s helicopter continued tracking Laska and notified detectives positioned farther west on I-40 that his vehicle was slowing. The vehicle eventually stopped on the shoulder. Helicopter video showed the driver’s door open as Laska stepped out while detectives approached from the west. Flashes of light appeared on the video as Laska fired several rounds at officers.

Officer Zachary Herbst opened the passenger-side door of a police vehicle and saw Laska firing at officers. Officer Herbst returned fire, striking Laska, who collapsed in front of the vehicle.

A woman who had been inside Laska’s vehicle exited and was taken into custody while officers provided medical aid to Laska. Officers noted that Laska still possessed the handgun as they approached him.

Laska survived but remains in critical condition and continues receiving treatment at a hospital.

• SUBJECT:                             Claude Laska, 32    

• INVOLVED OFFICER:      Officer Zachary Herbst, who has been with the department since 2014, has been involved in four prior officer-involved shootings.

Over the next several months, APD will continue investigating and analyzing the incident. Detectives will pursue any additional witnesses who come forward and complete all necessary forensic examinations. The Multi-Agency Task Force will forward its findings to the District Attorney’s Office for a determination regarding criminal charges.

APD’s Internal Affairs Force Division will also investigate the shooting to determine whether officers followed department policies. The results will be forwarded to the city’s Superintendent of Police Reform for final decisions on discipline.

APD’s Force Review Board, comprised of deputy chiefs, will review the incident to identify patterns and any potential policy changes needed to address shortcomings.

Editor Note:

All information presented in the APD press conference video and related media release (written story) reflects information supplied by the Albuquerque Police Department.