WATCH: Bystanders Shot As Albuquerque Officers Open Fire On Stabbing Suspect

1 year ago 109

Albuquerque, New Mexico — On June 29, 2023, around 9:23 p.m., Albuquerque police responded to a 911 call of a stabbing at a McDonald’s off of Lomas and San Pedro. Officers found a man who had been stabbed multiple times in the neck and face while in the drive-thru lane. The man told police he picked up the suspect, 25-year-old Jeramiah Salyards, and wanted to help him by buying dinner. The driver told police it’s something he’s done for others. The suspect reached over said, “Sorry” and stabbed him in the neck. Salyards then fled the scene. Officers responded within minutes and rendered aid to the victim. He was transported to a local hospital to treat his wounds. He has since been released from the hospital. Nearly two and a half hours later, officers found the suspect was down the road on Lomas and Louisiana. Officers say he matched the description of holding a colored knife and wearing a pink-like backpack. Officers went to the area and spotted Salyards, telling him to drop the knife.

Salyards crossed the street to a bus stop where three men were hanging out. Salyards moved toward the men, who appeared to be attempting to flee as multiple police officers shouted for him to put down his knife. Bodycam footage shows Salyards waving his arms rapidly toward the three men, apparently holding a knife in one hand, before officers opened fire. Police continued firing as Salyards goes toward one of the men who fell over, having apparently been struck by officers’ gunfire. Police say Salyards died in the shooting. One of the bystanders hit by officers’ gunfire was shot in the knee. He was treated and released that night from the hospital. The bystander in the blue jacket was shot several times and suffered serious injuries. He was treated over several weeks at the hospital and is still going through rehabilitation from those gunshot wounds. Salyards was previously sentenced to three years in prison for the stabbing of a Albuquerque bus driver in 2020 and was released just over a month before his death.