APD: Circle K clerk shot, injured suspected robber

Officers are investigating whether suspect involved in earlier robbery

A Circle K clerk shot and critically injured a man who was trying to rob the convenience store Monday afternoon, according to a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department.

Officer Luis Hernandez said around 3:50 p.m. police were called to an armed robbery at the Circle K on Eubank and Candelaria NE. He said they were on their way to the store when they were told the robbery suspect had been shot by a clerk.

Hernandez said the suspect was still breathing when he was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital. He said the suspect’s gun was still inside the store Monday evening.

Officers also learned there had been another armed robbery at a nearby business about 20 minutes earlier, he said.

Hernandez said investigators were still trying to determine if the suspect had fired. He said he was shot in the torso. Hernandez did not name him.

“Witnesses followed the path of the suspect to where he collapsed behind the Circle K, and that’s where he was,” Hernandez said. “Police took him into custody and he was transported to the hospital for his injuries.”

There was no word on the suspect’s condition late Monday.

Hernandez said detectives are reviewing video surveillance from the Circle K and another business about a mile away on Wyoming and Candelaria NE that had been robbed about 20 minutes earlier to see if the two incidents are connected.

Hernandez said they are still investigating whether the suspect was acting alone or with someone else.

“We want to rule out that it wasn’t him, or rule him in,” he said. “That’s why we are trying to match videos to see if he approached alone.”

Hernandez said the clerk was being questioned to see if charges will be pressed. He did not identify the clerk or provide any information, including name, gender, age and whether he or she had a gun permit.

A small group of customers and employees gathered around the crime tape as investigators examined the store and the surrounding parking lot. They said they could not comment on the shooting.

When reached by phone Monday evening, Robert Sway, the director of human resources for Circle K, said he also could not comment on the shooting or say whether clerks are allowed or encouraged to arm themselves. New Mexico state law allows only gun owners with concealed carry permits to bring a gun into a store that sells alcohol, such as Circle K.

“As always, our concern is for the safety of our customer and employees,” Sway said.