On August 22, 2022, a tragic incident occurred in the downtown area of Albuquerque, New Mexico, resulting in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Melina Jones. The incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning, specifically at 1:15 a.m., when officers from the Albuquerque Police Department responded to a report of a fight in the downtown area.
Upon arrival, the officers encountered a chaotic scene in the parking lot at 2nd Street and Central Avenue SW.
Here, they witnessed a male individual shoot and kill Melina Jones. The APD sergeant who was first to approach the scene had his emergency lights and sirens activated and made announcements over his public address system in an attempt to disperse the crowd. However, the sergeant observed the offender firing a gun several times, which resulted in Melina Jones being struck and fatally injured.
Following the shooting, the APD sergeant, identified as Sgt. Harold Sennett, who has been with the department since June 23, 2007, and had no prior officer-involved shootings, fired his department-issued firearm at the offender. However, he did not hit the suspect, who subsequently fled the area. The identity of the suspect remains unknown as of the available reports.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing, involving multiple agencies. The APD, along with the Multi-Agency Task Force, is conducting a thorough investigation, which includes interviewing witnesses, completing forensic tests, and analyzing the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be forwarded to the Superintendent of Police Reform to determine if the incident met the high standards of the Albuquerque Police Department. Additionally, the case will be presented to the District Attorney's Office to determine any potential criminal charges.
As of the current reports, there have been no arrests made in connection with the murder of Melina Jones. The suspect remains at large, and the police continue to seek any new witnesses or evidence that could aid in identifying and apprehending the individual responsible for her death.
