Police in Albuquerque are investigating the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy as a potential case of justifiable homicide. The incident occurred after a group of teens reportedly tried to force entry into an apartment, leading the resident to open fire in defense of his family.

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ALBUQUERQUE, NM (2-minute read) — A deadly altercation late Friday night in northeast Albuquerque left one person dead. According to the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), a 14-year-old boy was fatally shot around 10:15 p.m. at the Sandia Vista Apartments on 901 Tramway Blvd. NE.

Police say a group of teenagers were involved in a physical altercation and ended up chasing others to a second-floor unit. The confrontation escalated when someone threw a rock through an apartment window. Fearing for his family’s safety, the resident of the unit—whose children were inside with him—retrieved a firearm and reportedly warned the teens not to enter before opening fire. One teen was shot and later died.

APD reports that the resident was detained for questioning but later released, pending further investigation. Detectives are still looking into the fight that led up to the shooting and whether the use of deadly force was legally justified under New Mexico’s self-defense laws.

Understanding New Mexico’s Self-Defense Laws

New Mexico law allows residents to use deadly force if they reasonably believe they are in imminent danger of serious bodily harm or death. The state does not have a “Stand Your Ground” law but does recognize the “Castle Doctrine,” which permits residents to defend themselves with force inside their own homes.

In cases involving juveniles and tense situations like this one, police must carefully investigate the timeline of events, witness statements, and physical evidence before determining whether charges will be filed.

Safety Tip: Always understand your local self-defense laws, including when the use of deadly force is justified, and make sure anyone in your household who may handle a firearm is trained in both its use and the law.