Beer Run Leads to Arrest of Alleged Circle K Rooftop Shooter in ABQ War Zone

Albuquerque –

On September 24, 2024, just before 6:00 PM, officers from the Albuquerque Police Department responded to a shooting incident. The shooting took place at the Circle K/McDonald’s on Central and Wyoming, located at 8601 Central Avenue NE. ShotSpotter also detected at least one round fired in the vicinity. A witness told police that a man had reportedly climbed onto the roof of the structure, set up his firearm—purportedly an AR-style weapon—and fired at least two rounds.

When officers arrived, they found a blood trail and believed someone had been shot. However, after extensive searching, APD was unable to locate a victim. APD deployed a drone to search for the alleged shooting suspect, which included checking rooftops of nearby homes and businesses. Officers later discovered that the shooter had fled the scene in a lifted white pickup truck, which seemingly lacked a license plate. However, the vehicle did purportedly have a faded temporary tag. Surveillance video suggests the shooter tried to conceal their identity by wearing a mask. APD did reportedly locate spent rounds on the roof of the structure.

At approximately 9:15 PM, an employee working at the Circle K/McDonald’s business, called the police to report that the person allegedly responsible for the earlier shooting was back at the gas station and purportedly buying beer. The caller went on to tell police that the man had just left the store and was now outside, acting strangely near a white Ford pickup truck with a temporary license plate. A dispatcher asked the person if they could read the temporary tag, but they were unable because the temporary tag was too old and tattered. This vehicle description appeared to match that of the previous shooting.

At 9:20 PM, officers pulled over the truck and detained the driver, identified as Seth Yara. Inside the truck in plain view on the driver’s seat was a revolver, and a knife, along with an open bottle of Patron tequila on the driver’s side floor. As stated in the criminal complaint, a rifle barrel was also visible, sticking out of a camouflage backpack in the passenger seat.

The criminal complaint went on to say that Yara had red, bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol. Yara also admitted that there were two firearms inside the vehicle. Authorities then discovered Yara had an active outstanding misdemeanor warrant for his arrest.

APD arrested Yara for negligent use of a deadly weapon, possession of open containers of alcohol in a vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance after testing a white rock in his pocket, which tested positive for cocaine.

Police sealed the vehicle and had it towed while they awaited a search warrant.

According to court records, Yara was “Release on Personal Recognizance” on September 25. The interim conditions of release stated he is to: not to violate any federal, state, or local criminal law; not buy, sell, consume, or possess illegal drugs; not to possess or consume alcohol or enter liquor establishment; to notify the court of any change of address; and to appear at all court settings, unless approved (by) waiver.” He is to reappear before a judge on October 24.

It’s believed that Yara was released by the judge because the judge likely didn’t know about Yara’s other possible criminal activities. It’s also unclear whether APD was able to search and process Yara’s truck before his release.

If we learn more about this shooting incident, we will update you.