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ALBUQUERQUE, NM (AP) – A student was killed and another was arrested on Friday after a school shooting at a college near downtown Albuquerque during lunchtime, police said.
The gunfire at Washington Middle School marked the second shooting in Albuquerque in less than 24 hours. The city is on the verge of breaking its homicide record this year, having already tied in the first eight months of the year the previous annual record of 80 homicides set in 2019.
Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Scott Elder told a new police conference it was a terrible day for the school district and for the entire community.
“I want to send my thoughts and prayers to all of our students, to all of our families who are affected by this horrific event,” he said.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said on Friday that she was heartbroken and that there was still work to be done to tackle gun violence in the state.
Albuquerque Deputy Police Commander Kyle Hartsock described the shooting as an isolated incident between the two students, who are believed to be around 13 years old. He said a school resources official rushed to the two boys after gunfire broke out and prevented further violence.
Hartsock said investigators were trying to determine how the student got the gun and what may have caused the shooting. He said other students will be questioned as detectives try to piece together what happened.
The school was closed and parents were invited to pick up their children.
Friday marked the third day of classes for the Albuquerque Public School District. While the students won’t be back until Tuesday, Elder said school staff will make preparations to ensure students have access to counseling and any other support services they need.
“Of course, it’s extremely difficult,” he said of something like this that happened so early in the school year. “There is a lot of pressure in the community. People are nervous. It was a terrible incident that happened between two people. It should have never happened … It shouldn’t have happened in community. That certainly shouldn’t be happening in a school. “
Police said more officers would be present when the students returned, hoping to provide a sense of security and in case the students had more information about the shooting.
Gunshots also rang out Thursday night at a sports bar and restaurant near a bustling Albuquerque shopping district. Police said one person was killed and three others injured after someone pulled out a gun during a brawl.
No arrests were made in this case. Investigators were reviewing surveillance video and interviewing witnesses.
Authorities have identified the man who was killed as Lawrence Anzures, a 30-year-old boxer from Albuquerque.
“Any little bit of information can help turn this case into one that can be prosecuted so that Lawrence’s family and friends can get the justice they deserve,” Hartsock said.
As they stood at an intersection near the school, reporters questioned senior police officials about the ongoing violence in Albuquerque. The city has for years struggled with high crime rates, but officials pointed out that other cities in the United States are now seeing an increase as well.
“I think it takes not only the police but also the community to do something about this problem and deal with it head on,” Deputy Chief Eric Garcia said. “Right now it’s a community issue. It is not just a question of the police. We all have to work together.
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