BCSO Provides Update on Deputy-Involved Shooting at Forthright Auto

Albuquerque –

On Thursday, October 23, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office gave an update on a deputy-involved shooting from September.

On September 20, 2025, at approximately 8:43 PM, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Forthright Auto, located at 6724 2nd Street NW, after ADT alarm dispatch reported a panic alarm activation to Bernalillo County Emergency Communications.

When deputies arrived on scene, they contacted the business owner, who reported that the front glass door had been shattered.

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Deputies requested additional units, including a K9 team and drone support, to assist in clearing and securing the business. A drone was used to conduct a preliminary sweep of the interior before deputies entered to ensure no immediate threats were present.

At approximately 9:13 PM, deputies encountered an individual on the property, later identified as 41-year-old Jonathan Dykstra. During the encounter, a deputy-involved shooting occurred. Dykstra fled eastbound toward the nearby ditch bank, and deputies established a perimeter in the area.

The BCSO drone located Dykstra lying face down near a set of dumpsters. Deputies approached and observed two gunshot wounds. They immediately began rendering first aid until emergency medical personnel arrived. Despite these efforts, Dykstra was pronounced deceased on scene.

Investigators determined that Dykstra had fired three rounds during the incident. One deputy returned fire, discharging three rounds. A stolen .380 Taurus handgun was recovered near Dykstra and later determined to have been stolen from Forthright Auto during the burglary that triggered the alarm. Evidence on scene included spent casings and projectiles consistent with both the suspect’s and deputy’s gunfire.

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Through the course of the investigation, it was also determined that Dykstra had an extensive criminal history, including prior arrests for burglary, residential burglary, battery, breaking and entering, criminal damage to property, aggravated assault (deadly weapon), fraud, and possession of controlled substances. Here’s a brief overview of his recent three arrests.

• On March 22, 2025, the University of New Mexico Police Department (UNMPD) responded to a burglary at Popejoy Hall, 203 Cornell Dr. NE, where a large quantity of concessions and a blue push cart had been stolen. Officers later located Jonathan Dykstra at Smith Plaza with the stolen items, he was taken into custody and charged with burglary and breaking and entering.
• On July 24, 2025, at approximately 8:35 p.m., UNMPD officers responded to Popejoy Hall, 203 Cornell Dr. NE, regarding a report of a suspicious man entering the basement area before a scheduled children’s performance. Officers contacted Jonathan Dykstra, who was found to have been previously criminally trespassed from UNM property; he was arrested, and charged with criminal trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• On September 9, 2025, Jonathan Dykstra was arrested in connection with a commercial burglary at Loan Max Title Loans, located at 5614 Central Ave SW. He also had active warrants at the time of the incident and had previously targeted Forthright Auto in multiple burglaries. He was charged with Residential Burglary.

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The deputy involved in this incident has been identified as Deputy Marco Baldonado. Deputy Baldonado has been with BCSO for 8 years, this is his first deputy-involved shooting.

The Multi-Agency Task Force, including the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, is actively investigating the incident. Once the investigation is complete, the team will forward its findings to the District Attorney’s Office for review.

Deputy-Involved Shooting Incident Timeline

8:43 PM – Dispatch Receives Call for Service

• Deputies were dispatched to a commercial panic alarm reported by ADT alarm dispatch.

8:53 PM – Deputies Arrive on Scene

• Upon arrival, deputies contacted the business owner, who stated the front door glass had been shattered.

8:58 PM – K9 and Additional Units Requested

• Additional units responded. The interior of the business was cleared first with a drone, then by deputies.

9:13 PM – Shots Fired

• Deputies made contact with a subject near trash cans and exchanged gunfire.

9:14 PM – Subject Flees

• Deputies reported via radio that the subject was heading eastbound on the ditch bank.

9:17 PM – Subject Observed

• A drone located the subject lying face down near the dumpsters.

9:38 PM – K9 Deployed

• K9 “Hulk” was deployed toward the subject, but there was no response. Deputies advanced to the subject’s location.

9:40 PM – Suspect Taken into Custody

• Deputies observed two gunshot wounds on the suspect and immediately provided first aid.