APD Releases Update on June Officer-Involved Shooting Involving Armed Man with Warrants

Albuquerque –

On Tuesday, the Albuquerque Police Department disclosed the details of an officer-involved shooting that took place on June 2 in the North Valley.

According to police, Sgt. Paul Durham shot and critically injured 37-year-old Benjamin Siegling after Siegling, who was armed with a knife, advanced toward the sergeant during an encounter in a business parking lot.

FANS CAN SEE GRAPHIC VIDEO OF SHOOTING HERE: https://www.patreon.com/abqraw/posts/graphic-police-164483280?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

At the time of the shooting, officers assigned to the Valley Area Command were conducting a violent crime operation in response to an increase in aggravated assaults.

During the press conference, police said Sgt. Durham was patrolling near the Studio 6 extended-stay hotel at 4441 Osuna Rd NE, an area identified as a focus for enforcement because of increased criminal activity.

Sgt. Durham stopped a man he saw jaywalking near the intersection of Osuna Rd and Jefferson St NE. The man identified himself as Matthew Siegling and told Sgt. Durham he had no outstanding warrants.

After returning to his patrol vehicle to check the information, Sgt. Durham told investigators the records did not match the man he had detained. Believing the man had provided a false identity, Sgt. Durham got out of his vehicle and approached him again.

Police stated the man then ran south across Osuna Rd. Sgt. Durham pursued him through a business parking lot on the south side of the street. During the chase, the man stopped, turned toward Sgt. Durham and advanced while holding an object in his hand.

Sgt. Durham repeatedly ordered the man to drop the object, but he continued advancing. Police said the man closed a distance of about 42 feet while Sgt. Durham continued ordering him to get on the ground and drop the object.

Sgt. Durham fired two rounds from his department-issued handgun, hitting the man.

Detectives later identified the man as 37-year-old Benjamin Siegling. Police stated Siegling initially identified himself as his brother, Matthew Siegling, in an apparent attempt to conceal his identity. Investigators determined Siegling was a convicted felon with two felony warrants for alleged parole violations and two misdemeanor warrants related to shoplifting and assault on a peace officer.

Siegling was taken to a hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound. He was later released and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Police said detectives will continue interviewing witnesses, conducting forensic testing and completing the investigation before the Multi-Agency Task Force submits its findings to the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office for a decision on whether criminal charges are warranted.

Separately, the Albuquerque Police Department’s Internal Affairs Force Division will conduct an administrative review to determine whether department policies were followed. The findings will be forwarded to the city’s superintendent of police reform for a decision on any disciplinary action.

The department’s Force Review Board, composed of deputy chiefs, also will review the shooting to identify any policy or training issues and recommend changes if needed.

SUBJECT:                             Benjamin Siegling, 37

INVOLVED OFFICERS:      Sgt. Paul Durham, who was hired in 2011. He has been involved in 2 prior officer-involved shootings.

Editor note: Metro Detention Center records list Siegling as 43, while police and New Mexico court records (NMCOURTS) identify him as 37-year-old. We contacted the Albuquerque Police Department to clarify the discrepancy. After publication, APD sent Siegling’s date of birth and confirmed he was 37.