APD Responds to Crazed Man Pointing Gun in Air Near Freeway, Gun Ends Up Being Fake

Albuquerque –

On April 14th, 2026, the Albuquerque Police Department received a report of a man walking on Louisiana Blvd near I-40 waving a gun in the air.

APD responding to the area and located the man walking northbound on busy Louisiana Blvd. and he appeared agitated. Police set up a force array and went in to detain him. They shot him with at least two non-lethal rounds and we saw him stumble from the impact. After being encouraged with less lethal rounds the man finally raised his hands and gave up to officers peacefully.

An APD spokesman identified the man as Dario Chavez and indicated he was having a mental health episode. He went on to say the gun was fake and only a plastic replica.

Chavez was transported to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation and cited for disturbing the peace, as his actions posed a potential risk to public safety. He was issued a summons, and a CIT contact sheet was completed.

Additionally, a use-of-force investigation was initiated by APD because officers on scene used non-lethal means to take Chavez into custody.