8th and Bridge Homicide - Paul Ortiz (suspected killer)

Albuquerque –

Albuquerque Police Department (APD) detectives arrested Paul John Ortiz for the murder of Christopher Archibeque in the parking lot of a Circle K in the Barelas neighborhood.

Ortiz, 39, is accused of fatally shooting Archibeque, 61, shortly after 8:00 PM on Sunday, October 13, 2024, following a brief encounter at the Circle K, located at 511 Avenida Dolores Huerta SW, which is at 8th and Avenida Dolores Huerta SW.

ABQ RAW first reported to you about this incident as it was unfolding. At around 8:03 PM on October 13, 2024, a ShotSpotter activation detected two gunshots at the same location. APD officers were dispatched shortly after, around 8:06 PM, to respond to a report of a shooting. Call notes indicated that a male had been shot in the chest, a gun was reportedly left at the scene, and the suspect fled eastbound. When officers arrived, they found people performing CPR on a man lying in the parking lot with gunshot wounds to his chest and left arm. Despite bystanders and officers’ life-saving efforts, the man, later identified as Christopher Archibeque, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Surveillance footage from the Circle K shows Ortiz entering and leaving the store twice before the shooting. The video also captures Archibeque riding a yellow bicycle and talking to Ortiz in the parking lot. Moments later, Ortiz is seen raising his arm in a shooting position, and two flashes are visible. Archibeque then falls to the ground, and Ortiz flees on foot.

Multiple witnesses spoke with officers. One witness reported driving on Bridge Blvd SW (now Avenida Dolores Huerta SW) when they heard two gunshots. They saw a man in a gray shirt and blue pants reaching into his waistband and trying to conceal or clean a gun before heading north on 4th St. SW on foot. Another witness saw a man on the ground and performed CPR, while a third witness, who also heard gunshots, helped with CPR.

An autopsy later revealed that Archibeque had been shot twice in the chest.

Detectives identified Ortiz as the man seen on surveillance video and involved in the shooting. They secured a search warrant for a nearby residence on 2nd St. SW, less than a mile from the crime scene. SWAT officers executed the warrant on Monday and detained Ortiz for a DNA sample. During an interview, Ortiz initially denied being at the Circle K but eventually admitted to being the person seen in the surveillance footage.

Later that Monday, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for a residence in the 1500 block of 2nd St SW and charged Ortiz with an open count of murder. He was booked into the Metro Detention Center on October 15th at 1:38 AM. You can see his booking information here: https://viaintfacep2.bernco.gov/custodylist/Detail/22107724696993

You can read our initial news coverage on this incident here: https://abqraw.com/post/person-killed-in-south-valley-of-abq-apd-investigating/

A hold was placed on Ortiz, meaning hopefully he won’t be released on bail.

Bynewsdesk

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