Update: APD Says Man Shot by Police May Have Shot Two People Prior to OIS with Police

Albuquerque –

APD detectives are investigating the possibility that Stephen Griego shot two men prior to officers fatally shooting Griego during a confrontation on Friday, July 3, 2026, in Downtown Albuquerque.

A man with a gunshot wound to his arm showed up at a local hospital over the weekend. He told detectives that Griego, 41, shot him in the arm at the intersection of Central Ave. and 3^rd St. The man, identified as Richard Thyberg, 38, said he attempted to intervene when another man shoved Griego and Griego pulled a handgun from his waistband.

Detectives identified Juan Ortega, 40, as the man who initially confronted Griego. Video shared on social media showed Griego produce a handgun and fire it in the direction of Ortega and Thyberg. Thyberg said that’s when he was shot in the arm – at 11:53 p.m.

As Griego fired the first round, Ortega charged toward Griego. The video does not show what happened next, but after about seven seconds, another shot was fired, followed by a barrage of gunfire from four police officers who were approaching from the west.

Evidence at the scene suggests that Griego fired two rounds. Both Thyberg and Ortega suffered non-life-threatening wounds. Griego was struck several times by gunfire from officers. He was transported to a local hospital where he died.

A fourth man was shot and injured by a stray bullet, possibly fired by officers. That man told police he was standing outside a restaurant at Central Ave. and 2^nd St., a block away from the exchange of gunfire. The man suffered serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

We asked APD if all four officers were in their police units prior to the altercation and they said:

All four of the officers who fired shots were outside in the street when the first shot was fired. At least one officer was in his unit with an arrestee. He got out when he heard the shot, but he did not fire a shot.

A video posted to social media shows the start of the altercation and the video becomes hard to follow with shaking and movement. The video has audio and multiple gunshots are heard in the recording.

According to APD, over the next several months, the Multi-Agency Task Force will continue to investigate and analyze this incident. Detectives will interview any new witnesses that come forward and complete any forensic tests. After the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded 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 also review the incident to identify trends and potential policy changes that may be needed in response to any shortcomings that are identified.