James Garcia,Ezekiel Brown Obituary, Death; – The Albuquerque Police Department released the identity of the 19-year-old who was shot by officers on Thursday. According to the department, he was wanted on a murder charge.
Julian Garcia had a warrant out for his arrest in connection to a deadly shooting from September of 2024. APD officers had been searching for Garcia after he was charged with murder in February.
At about 6 p.m. Thursday around Unser Boulevard and Sage Road, detectives made contact with Garcia. Police say Garcia proceeded to run away. Initial shots were fired at Garcia, who was armed with a handgun at the time, according to APD.
As Garcia approached the backyard of a nearby home, police say shots were fired. An officer fired at and struck Garcia, who was taken to a local hospital where he is described as being in critical, yet stable condition. No officers were injured.
Garcia was wanted in connection to a shoot-out at 335 Grove Street SE. His uncle, 34-year-old James Garcia, was killed in the shooting. According to police, 32-year-old Ezekiel Brown shot James Garcia in the face after asking him if he remembered him. Two people returned gunfire, which struck Brown before he fell to the ground.
James Garcia was taken to the hospital. A bystander at the scene tried to give Brown CPD. Witnesses later said Julian Garcia shot Brown three times at a close range. He was pronounced dead on the scene. James Garcia was dropped off at the University of New Mexico Hospital, where he died.
