Murder, search for suspect prompts shelter in place in Corrales

Police continue to search for a murder suspect after a woman was found with gunshot wounds in Corrales Monday, Jan. 22. The search temporarily placed the village in shelter in place.

According to Corrales police, Charles Kauffmann, 55, of Albuquerque, is wanted for second-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence. Kauffmann remains at large, prompting the shelter in place order.

Corrales Police officers responded a report of a shooting at a residence on Los Arboles Verde Road at 5:18 p.m. Jan. 22. They found a female with several gunshot wounds and no signs of life, lying on the ground outside the house.

The victim, a 29-year-old Albuquerque woman who had been residing at the Corrales home, is not being identified pending notification of next of kin. Kauffmann was also staying at the house but fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival.

“Kauffmann was last seen driving a black Kia Rio (New Mexico license plate BKGF24), which has been reported stolen by the Corrales homeowner, and New Mexico and Arizona law enforcement officials are on the lookout for Kauffmann and the vehicle. Anyone with information concerning Kauffmann’s whereabouts is asked to call Corrales Police at 505-891-7226. Kauffmann should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached by members of the public, a release from the department stated.

The code red shelter in place warning had been issued to area residents until it was determined that the suspect was no longer in the area and that there was no apparent ongoing threat to residents.