Suspect Fired Gun Inside Apartment, Held Multiple Victims at Gunpoint

Albuquerque –

On August 22, 2025, at approximately 10:25 PM, deputies from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to an apartment on 330 Osuna Road NW, in response to a report of a male discharging a firearm inside the residence. Dispatch advised that a male suspect with a firearm was still in the building, actively breaking down doors and preventing seven occupants from leaving.

While BCSO was en route, dispatch informed deputies that a gunshot was heard over the phone during the call with the reporting party.

Upon arrival, deputies began clearing the complex and nearby parking lot. According to the criminal complaint, a deputy observed a Black male wearing a white shirt, blue hat, and a gold chain walking quickly northbound through the lot. Moments later, the same male emerged from a hallway wearing clothing that matched the suspect description. Deputies issued verbal commands for the male to raise his hands and get on the ground. The male refused to comply, prompting one deputy to warn that he would be shot if he failed to follow commands. Per the criminal complaint, the suspect responded by saying, “Shoot me,” and began to walk away. Deputies issued additional commands, after which the male complied and was taken into custody without further incident.

A search of the suspect revealed a handgun in his shorts pocket, along with two spent shell casings.

Deputies made contact with the occupants of the involved apartment. Eight individuals were present, including two juveniles who arrived shortly after the incident. The primary resident of the apartment was observed to be hysterical and holding her right ear. She stated that the suspect, identified as Damien Hall, had discharged a firearm near her face, resulting in pain in her ear.

Five other victims were located hiding inside a closet within one of the bedrooms. None of the apartment occupants, other than the primary resident, reported physical injuries.

According to statements provided by those in the residence, an argument occurred between Hall and the primary resident regarding a missing firearm. Hall allegedly believed someone had taken a gun from his backpack. When no one admitted to having it, Hall retrieved a different handgun and began “waving it back and forth” at the six individuals present. The victims advised BSCO deputies that they feared for their lives.

Hall then fired a round through a south-facing window. A physical altercation ensued between Hall and the primary resident, during which he fired a second round into the ceiling. He then purportedly blocked the exit, pointed the weapon at everyone again, and stated that no one would be allowed to leave. The victims retreated to a bathroom closet and barricaded themselves inside. Hall attempted to break down the door to reach them but eventually exited the apartment.

Deputies later interviewed the primary resident at the hospital. The complaint mentions that communication between the victim and deputies was limited due to her sustaining an ear injury. She indicated that all individuals were in the kitchen when Hall produced a firearm and began threatening those present. She told deputies that Hall pressed the barrel of the gun against her forehead, then against her lips—though not into her mouth. She believed that two gunshots were fired upward, in very close proximity to her head. She also stated that Hall grabbed her by the throat, restricting her breathing, and forced her to the ground. At various moments, Hall allegedly pointed the firearm at both her and the other occupants of the apartment.

A deputy subsequently spoke with Hall at the BCSO North Valley Command Center. Hall was read his Miranda rights and acknowledged that he understood them. He agreed to speak to BCSO deputies without an attorney.

The criminal complaint says Hall believed someone had stolen his firearm and admitted that “he had gone about things in the wrong way.” He confessed to pointing a firearm at the occupants in an attempt to “scare them” into returning the missing gun. Hall claimed that the primary resident attacked him, leading to him accidentally discharging a round into the ceiling. When asked about the round fired through the window, Hall initially hesitated but then admitted that he had fired it intentionally to frighten the occupants. He said he never intended to hurt anyone and that any physical contact with the resident was in self-defense.

Deputies were later informed that the round fired through the initial apartment window had traveled across the complex and entered into a separate apartment unit. Five individuals were inside that residence at the time. The criminal complaint claims that one female occupant was seated at the dining table when the round penetrated the wall, narrowly missing her head before ricocheting through the apartment. The bullet was later recovered in a bedroom.

Based on the investigation, Hall is being charged with the following offenses:

• Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (×6)
• Aggravated Battery on a Household Member
• False Imprisonment (×6)
• Shooting at dwelling or occupied building (no great bodily harm)
• Negligent use of a deadly weapon (discharge)
• Criminal damage to property (over $1000)
• Battery on a Household Member

Hall was served with an emergency restraining order at the North Valley Command Center and was transported to MDC for booking. We was booked into MDC on Saturday, August 23rd at 4:09 AM.

Multiple tips were received regarding this incident last night, including reports from residents of the complex who observed a heavy law enforcement presence, with seven or more police vehicles, deputies actively searching for a suspect, an arrest being made, and an individual transported from the scene by ambulance.

Domestic Violence Charges Dismissed After Suspect Enters Diversion Program

On January 2, 2024, officers were dispatched to a residence in northeast Albuquerque in response to a domestic violence report involving Damien Hall. The victim reported that Hall had prevented her from leaving, threatened to kill her, and at one point jumped on her while she was in bed, raising his fist as if to strike her. She expressed fear for her safety and stated similar incidents had occurred in the past. Based on statements and observed behavior, Hall was arrested for domestic violence-related offenses and charged with Assault Against a Household Member.

In this case, Hall agreed to a “District Attorney’s Misdemeanor Pre-Prosecution Diversion Program (“MPPD”),” and on June 17, 2024, the charges were dismissed “Dismissed by Prosecutor / Nolle Prosequi” after agreeing to the terms of the program. The court notes say “Notice to Defendant: The state may refile the same criminal charges, or others resulting from the same incident, at a later time.”

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All individuals named or depicted are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.