A funeral service was held for Aftab Hussein, 41, and Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, at the Islamic Center of New Mexico on Friday. And in Albuquerque, it has always been a huge obstacle.. The Albuquerque Police Department will be increasing its "police presence near mosques and Muslim affiliate schools," Keller wrote on Twitter. or redistributed. That includes Chicago, which marked one of its most violent years on record. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Other U.S. cities also saw increases in homicide numbers over the past year. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Olympic ticket sales for Paris Games gets off to, 7 Cubs pitchers combine for no-hitter vs Machado,, Mikal Bridges helps Nets rally to stun Celtics, 115-105, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard, U.S. jury poised to weigh international soccers. Law enforcement officials in New Mexico identified 51-year-old Muhammad Syed as the primary suspect in a string of killings of Muslim men in Albuquerque over All Rights Reserved. APD Homicide List for WEB SITE (as of 17MAY2021).pdf Syed, the suspect, has "denied having any involvement in the murders in this case," according to a criminal complaint. While 2022 brought more homicides, APD also says theyve solved more cases in 2022 than in 2021. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) The man who was murdered outside of a Nob Hill home over the weekend has been identified. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The most recent murder took place on Friday evening, when Naeem Hussain, from Pakistan, was discovered fatally woundedin the area of Truman Street and Grand Avenue. Shaheen Syed, left, possibly helped his father, Muhammad Syed, right, surveillance one of his alleged victims. Whats driving New Mexicos Fentanyl Crisis? Huffmyer also suggests that the dark cloud of administrative pressure and the eminent threat of public persecution can decrease law enforcement effectiveness. But Aneela Abad, general secretary for the Islamic Center of New Mexico, told The Associated Press the community is grappling not only with the losses, but also the fear and confusion. Ahmadi was from Afghanistan, police said. Albuquerque is just known for abandoned cars, abandoned property.. The City will also be working with the police departments serving the University of New Mexico and the Albuquerque Public School system, working to ensure students are safely returning to their respective campuses, Keller wrote. Four Muslim men murdered in New Mexico, FBI called in for support. The shooting of 62-year-old Afghan migrant Mohammad Ahmadi on November 7, 2021, in the parking lot of a halal supermarket he ran is the fourth killing that detectives are trying to determine if it is related to the more recent homicides, Albuquerque said. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Homicides, of course, contribute to the violent reputation. Across the country, many police departments are reporting an increase in homicides. Stephanie Pagones is a Digital Reporter for FOX Business and Fox News. The previous homicide record of 80 was set just three years earlier, during Mayor Tim Kellers first term. Legal Statement. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! "The United States motion boils down to an effort to detain defendant for a crime with which he has not even been charged," Anderson argued, referring to the slayings of the Muslim men. Albuquerque has had more than one homicide over beer pong, she says to illustrate her point. ALBUQUERQUE MURDER SUSPECT SAID HE WAS GOING TO TEXAS TO FIND NEW HOME, REFERENCED 'SHOOTING OF MUSLIMS': COPS. And even data on violent crimes doesnt paint the full picture. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Estimates from the Federal Bureau of Investigation show that New Mexicos violent crime and homicide rates have been above the national average for several years now. (U.S. District Court), A reporter asked at a press conference earlier this month if Syed, a Sunni Muslim, could have been driven by anger that his daughter married a Shiite Muslim. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Nicholas Huffmyer from the sheriffs office says that overwhelming police presence does work. Legal Statement. Stephanie Pagones is a Digital Reporter for FOX Business and Fox News. (Credit: Albuquerque Police Department). 2021 was a record-breaking year for homicides in Albuquerque with 114, the first homicide happened on Jan. 8 and the last Dec. 31. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Tuesday marked four days since police received word of their most recent murder. or redistributed. FILE - This Aug. 9, 2020, still image taken from officer video provided by the Albuquerque Police Department shows the arrest of Muhammad Syed. What can be done in the meantime is increase police patrols in those areas. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) New Mexico is no stranger to violent crime, but so far this years homicide count is outpacing the average of the last two years by about 75%. Shaheen Syed, 21, pictured in a 2021 Florida drivers license photo included in court documents. In recent years, the data showed that inane, petty disputes increasingly sparked killings. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.pagones@fox.com and on Twitter: @steph_pagones. Its not just in spite of our challenges, but because of them, he said after being sworn in Saturday. Shots were fired at his SUV around 4 p.m., striking him in the head and the arm. Police are probing whether he was also involved in the murder. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) A 14-year-old New Mexico boy accused of shooting and killing a classmate in 2021 has pleaded no contest to a charge of second-degree murder, prosecutors said Thursday. That puts Albuquerque in the top 10 most violent cities with populations of over 100,000 people. But it is important to note that the numbers in this report differ slightly from the numbers published in the FBI reports. Data from FBI UCR. ' she says. KRQE News 13 reported that 2022 federal fentanyl busts around Albuquerque have been among the largest ever. We are falling in line with a lot of the other major, big cities, he said. All rights reserved. Since 2016, between six and eight homicides per 100,000 people, each year are estimated to have occurred in New Mexico, according to the FBI data. Syed's son, 21-year-old Shaheen Syed, is also behind bars for allegedly providing a false address when he purchased a gun in June 2021. With the help of an interpreter, he "denied having any involvement in the murders in this case," thecriminal complaint alleges. All but three of the 2021 killings are being investigated by Albuquerque police, the Albuquerque Journal reported. New Mexicos violent crime rate (also estimated) far outpaces our neighbors. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This was a terrible tragedy for everyone involved, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said in a statement Thursday. The 311 service is a single telephone number for all non-emergency City of Albuquerque inquiries and services. Thats why we are pushing forward so fiercely. , New Mexico man accused of sex crime against student, One person dead, another hospitalized in SE ABQ shooting, Case dismissed for teen accused of taking gun to, Dancing in the Cave at the University of New Mexico, Whats happening around New Mexico Feb. 24 Mar. ALBUQUERQUE POLICE RELEASE BODY CAM VIDEO OF MAN SUSPECTED OF MURDERING MUSLIM MEN BEING ARRESTED, And before then, 41-year-old Aftab Hussein was fatally wounded on July 26, 2022. Albuquerque Homicides: Why are there so many? A funeral service was held for Aftab Hussein, 41, and Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, at the Islamic Center of New Mexico on Friday. Four men all from South Asia and all of whom practice the Muslim faith have been ambushed, shot and killed since November 2021, police have said. This undated file photo released by the City of Espaola shows Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, a planning and land use director who was killed in Albuquerque, N.M., on Aug. 1, 2022. (Albuquerque Police Department via AP, File). Police, however, are still being tight-lipped about any possible suspects. Its been a tough year, Albuquerque Police Department Chief Harold Medina told reporters at a November 8 news conference. People see a camera and they feel better, but cameras dont necessarily prevent crime, she says. For example, in 2017, during her time as a sergeant, Thomson saw one of the most heinous murders: the murder of John Soyka. To some extent, data supports Medinas claim. But things like police cameras and bringing police cars to the area, those reduce fear and help catch perpetrators. View Albuquerque crime mapping information. Bregman said he hoped the plea would bring some closure to the family, who was in court Thursday. But Albuquerques increase is above average according to data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association. All Rights Reserved. In 2019, there were Huffmyer goes even further and points to the implementation of Department of Justice reforms including use of force-policy reforms, community oversight, and additional training requirements as a driver of violent crime in Albuquerque. As for why there were more homicides in 2022, Hartsock explained that theres no single, clear answer. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Olympic ticket sales for Paris Games gets off to, 7 Cubs pitchers combine for no-hitter vs Machado,, Mikal Bridges helps Nets rally to stun Celtics, 115-105, NASCAR star Elliott has leg surgery after snowboard, U.S. jury poised to weigh international soccers, 2022 brought a record number of homicides. At the end of December 2022, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) published a list of 120 homicides that had occurred throughout the year. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 3 Mar. Additionally, APD has added new detectives to the homicide unit. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Naeem Hussain, a Muslim man from Pakistan, was discovered fatally woundedin the area of Truman Street and Grand Avenue just before midnight on Friday, police said. However, with a record homicide rate in 2021 (88 according to the City of Albuquerque, as of October 1), the four year-average under Mayor Tim Keller is on track to surpass the previous administrations homicide rate by 65%. The teen was initially charged with an open count of murder and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon on school premises. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Casings found at one of the crime scenes also matched a handgun found in the elder Syed's vehicle when he was taken into custody, according to a criminal complaint. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Shaheen Syed, 21, appeared in U.S. district court in Albuquerque on Monday, with the judge granting a motion by federal prosecutors to keep him behind bars pending the ongoing investigation into the deaths of four Muslim victims dating back to November 2021. KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, But this year also brought homicides at hotels near Los Altos neighborhood near Lomas and Wyoming, a few on the West Side, and a couple of homicides near the Heights. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. ALBUQUERQUE POLICE REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING VEHICLE OF INTEREST IN MURDERS OF FOUR MUSLIM MEN. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Market data provided by Factset. For years, Albuquerque has had a problem with unsightly property, as reported by KRQE special assignment reporter Gabrielle Burkhart in 2017. The City assumes no responsibility for the content of the material contained at that site or for the accuracy of any information that is found there. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. All of their bodies were found But Gallegos says that while public distrust of APD certainly exists, it isnt a big hinderance to APDs ability to investigate violent crime. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Theres a lot of evidence out there that the environment and what it says has a lot to do with crime, she says. Albuquerque police and the FBI are investigating three recent murders of Muslim men for possible ties to the same offender, according to Albuquerque police. Over the past 35 years, Albuquerques yearly homicide count has averaged about 45 homicides per year, KRQE reported. 3 Mar. Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. ", This undated file photo released by the City of Espaola shows Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, a planning and land use director who was killed in Albuquerque, N.M., on Aug. 1, 2022. This file photo released Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, by the Albuquerque Police Department shows Muhammad Syed. Ten minutes after the shooting, the motion states the men shared a second call as their phones remained in the "general area of the murder.". In fact, the Albuquerque Police Department counted 10 more homicides than in 2021, the previous record-setting year. The boy will remain in state custody until hes 21, the maximum sentence allowed for a child under New Mexico law. Albuquerque recorded 76 murders in 2020, four fewer than in 2019. The APDs crime data system is dynamic and additional information may be added or refined after the data are sent to the FBI. Albuquerque, however, has seen a bigger rise in homicides than many similarly-sized cities, according to data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association, a group that represents police executives in large cities across the US. A ShotSpotter activation showed 13 gunshots were fired, following by additional rounds, in the area of 417 Rhode Island Street, police documents show. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Liz Thomson, a retired APD homicide sergeant says the department saw a fair number of people shooting each other over relatively small amounts of drugs. You start to look deeper and you realize: Is it really the drugs? The Syed family home is a few minutes drive from both the Islamic Center and Lutheran Family Services. According to the Albuquerque Journal, 27-year-old Muhammed Afzaal Hussain was shot and killed on Aug. 1, while 41-year-old Aftab Hussein was killed on July 26. At the time, the city was on pace to shatter its homicide record and top officials described the violence as a scourge. Legal Statement. On Aug. 1, the third victim, local city planner Muhammad Afzaal Hussain, 27, was gunned down in the area of Cornell Drive Southeast and Garfield Avenue Southeast, police said. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Several months before that, on Nov. 7, 2021, 62-year-old Mohammad Ahmadi was discovered shot and killed in the rear parking lot of a halal caf he owned with his brother on San Mateo Boulevard, according to city officials and local affiliate KRQE-TV. Muhammad Syed, a 51-year-old man who has lived in Albuquerque for about five years, is also suspected in a fourth murder that occurred in November 2021. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The four men all Muslim and from South Asia were ambushed, shot, and killed in Albuquerque since November 2021. The sooner people recognize that there is not one circumstance that is causing this, the better, Huffmyer says. According to the criminal complaint, Syed "waited behind a bush, north of the driveway where Aftab Hussein would park his vehicle. Data from APD. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) New Mexicos largest city recorded 117 killings in 2021, shattering its previous homicide record by 46%. Family members told judge that Bennie was missed and that it hurt even more that another child was the one who committed the crime. Fox News' Danielle Wallace and The Associated Press contributed to this report. MURDERS IN ALBUQUERQUE MUSLIM COMMUNITY: NEW MEXICO OFFICIALS OFFERING $20K REWARD FOR INFO LEADING TO KILLER, Altaf Hussain cries over the grave of his brother Aftab Hussein at Fairview Memorial Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022. Albuquerque police say the first homicide happened on Nov. 7, 2021. But, Nicholas Huffmyer, a captain at the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, says that drugs and violence are inevitably linked. An Imam leads a group of men during the Dhuhr afternoon prayer at the Islamic Center of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, after the fourth Muslim man was murdered in the city. or redistributed. The four menall Muslimand from South Asia were ambushed, shot, and killed in Albuquerque since November 2021. A grand jury indicted him Friday on three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of tampering with evidence. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. That put Albuquerque in the top 10 most violent cities with populations over 100,000 people. Neighboring states, such as Arizona and Texas, have seen an estimated five to six homicides per 100,000 people each year. Interactive Slider: New Mexicos homicide rate (estimated from incomplete data) has historically outpaced both neighboring states and the national homicide rate per capita. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. There, officers discovered Aftab Hussein "lying next to a silver Hyundai sedan at" nearby, with multiple apparent gunshot wounds. That put Albuquerque in the top 10 most violent View the sitemap for the City of Albuquerque website. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. By this time last year, there were only 18. Yes, we have gangs. Hartsock attributed a higher solve rate to good detective work and communication among APD. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. , New Mexico man accused of sex crime against student, One person dead, another hospitalized in SE ABQ shooting, Case dismissed for teen accused of taking gun to, Dancing in the Cave at the University of New Mexico, Whats happening around New Mexico Feb. 24 Mar. (U.S. District Court/AP). NIBRS is the most current national framework for reporting crime and replaces the FBIs Summary Reporting System (SRS). Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to a suspect, and urged anyone with information related to the killings to call Crime Stoppers at (505) 843-STOP (7867) orsubmit tips here. The City assumes no responsibility for the content of the material contained at that site or for the accuracy of any information that is found there. Legal Statement. Theyre up to 16 detectives and two sergeants, a number Liz Thomson says is a reasonable amount to handle Albuquerques homicide caseload. Shaheen Syed, 21, pictured in a 2021 Florida drivers license photo included in court documents. The contents of any site or link not maintained by the City does not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of the City of Albuquerque, its officials, agents or employees.