Shootout in the Southwest – Suspect’s Bullet Stopped by Officers Radio

ALBUQUERQUE – APD released details today about a shootout in December between an auto theft suspect and an officer. Officer Michael Golden was struck by gunfire, but the projectile hit his police radio and he was not injured. The suspect, Luis Arreola-Palma, was shot several times by the officers partner and he later died as a result of his injuries.

Summary of Incident

Officers in the Southwest Area Command were searching for a suspected auto theft offender on Dec. 21, 2025, in the area of the Rodeway Inn, located at 5701 Iliff Rd., N.W. The suspect, Luis Arreola-Palma, 32, had multiple felony warrants and had been highlighted on APD’s Top 25 Auto Theft offenders. Officers with APD’s Southwest Proactive Response Team were aware that Palma frequented the area of the motel.

As Officers arrived at the motel around 3 p.m., they observed Palma in the parking lot. He immediately ran from officers.

Officer Christopher Cooke pursued Palma on foot and called out over his police radio that he was involved in a foot pursuit. Palma ran eastbound through a breezeway, then continued northbound along the sidewalk. He reversed direction and traveled westbound through another breezeway before proceeding southbound on the sidewalk. Palma then returned eastbound through the original breezeway.

Officers immediately grabbed Palma. They were not aware he had a firearm in his jacket pocket at the time. While officers were attempting to gain control of him, Palma fired one round from his handgun, while it was still in his right pocket. Investigators later determined the bullet traveled from Palma’s right pocket, through his left pocket and through a phone that was in the left pocket. The bullet eventually lodged into Officer Michael Golden’s police radio, which was inside a radio holder attached to his outer carrier vest. Officer Golden was not injured by the gunfire

Officer Cooke returned gunfire, striking Palma several times. Officers attempted first aid and Palma was transported to a hospital, where he later died as a result of his wounds.

Over the next several months, APD will continue to investigate and analyze this incident. Detectives will continue interviewing any new witnesses that come forward and complete any forensic tests. The Multi-Agency Task Force will forward its case to the District Attorney’s Office to make any determination of criminal charges.

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

APD’s Force Review Board, made up of deputy chiefs, will review the incident to identify trends and potential policy changes that may be needed in response to any shortcomings that are identified.

SUBJECT:                             Luis Arreola-Palma, 32     

INVOLVED OFFICERS:     Officer Michael Golden, who has been with the department since 2023, was struck by gunfire. He was not injured.

Officer Christopher Cooke, who has been with the department since 2023, has not been involved in any prior officer-involved shootings.