Shootout that injured APD officer linked to car stolen in Rio Rancho

Albuquerque Police Department released details of a suspect who shot an officer and was himself shot during an ensuing exchange of gunfire with other officers on Dec. 30.

The officer-involved shooting injured Officer Zachary Garris and the suspect, 29-year-old Santiago Perez. In a news conference Jan. 10, APD said officers were searching for a reported stolen vehicle out of Rio Rancho when they located it at the Adam Food Mart at Central and Pennsylvania.

On Dec. 30, APD dispatch alerted Southeast officers at 8:17 p.m. about a vehicle flagged by an automated license plate reader in the area of Central Avenue and Louisiana Blvd. The license plate number belonged to a gray 2014 Acura that was reported as being embezzled.

Cmdr. Kyle Hartsock said Garris and Officer Isaiah Relaford spotted the car parked outside the Adam Food Market and alerted other officers.

“A plan was made to conduct a high-risk stop on the vehicle while it was stationary inside the parking lot,” Hartsock said.

Garris and Relaford were in the first police vehicle that approached the Acura from behind. The driver of the Acura, later identified as Perez, attempted to back out and bumped into the police car. Both officers — one armed with a handgun and one with a less-lethal launcher — opened their car doors and shouted commands for the driver to turn off the vehicle and get out. Within seven seconds, as officers gave commands, Perez opened the driver door and fired one round from a handgun, striking Garris in the hands as he held his gun. Garris fell to the ground but pulled himself up as the driver fired additional shots.

Relaford ran around the back of the police car and helped Garris take cover behind the vehicle. Relaford turned his attention to Perez, who exited the Acura. Relaford fired one round at Perez, who turned and ran around the front of the Acura and turned east, where several bystanders were scattered through the parking lot and to the east of the market.

Perez fled while still armed, running east along the front entrance of the market. Several bystanders were in the direct area Perez was running, some taking cover behind a car and some out in the open. Two officers in vehicles behind Garris and Relaford stepped out and yelled for bystanders to get back. As Perez ran toward the bystanders with the firearm still in his hand, Officer Howard Perry fired two rounds, striking Perez in the arm and the leg. Perez immediately fell to the ground, and his handgun was flung from his hand, landing several feet away. None of the bystanders were injured.

Garris suffered injuries to both hands as a bullet struck him while holding his department-issued firearm during the encounter. He was transported to a hospital and has been through two surgeries to treat his injuries.

“Obviously, we’re waiting to see what the condition and what the functionality of his hand will be after this,” Police Chief Harold Medina said.

Perez was also transported to a hospital, where he is being treated for gunshot wounds to his arm and leg.

Following the shooting, detectives learned that Perez is a convicted felon who was on parole for an armed robbery conviction. Perez had a parole warrant for his arrest. Detectives are working with the district attorney’s office and federal prosecutors to pursue charges against Perez.

Over the next several months, APD will continue to investigate and analyze the incident. Detectives will continue interviewing any new witnesses that come forward and complete any forensic tests. The Multi-Agency Task Force will forward its case to the district attorney’s office to make any determination of criminal charges.