APD investigates death of man found lying in the road
Homicide detectives are investigating after a driver found a dead man on Edith just south of Lomas NE early Wednesday, according to a spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department.
Officer Fred Duran said the driver called police around 6 a.m. saying there was a person lying in the road.
Although police initially reported the death as a shooting, Duran later said it was a stabbing. In an emailed update in the late afternoon, he said police haven’t determined the cause of death.
“Detectives did locate signs of injury however (not) until the medical investigation is complete will detectives know the cause of death,” Duran said.
He said detectives have not identified the man and need the public’s help to solve the crime.
Some people who live in the area said they are worried the man was a neighbor.
Margarita Padilla said her mother, Estela Padilla, heard an argument outside her apartment around 4 a.m.
“She heard a scream,” Margarita Padilla said, translating for her mother. “She didn’t even look out because she always hears people arguing.”
She said it scared her to know someone was killed so close by.
“She’s thinking that they’re probably somewhere around, you never know,” Margarita Padilla said. “I told her I’d stay with her tonight.”
Duran did not immediately respond to questions about whether detectives believe the man was targeted or what the motive might be.
Rick Dauber also lives nearby and said that the area has been plagued by crime and has a growing homeless population.
“I don’t think people feel safe,” he said. “Years ago it used to be safe, but that was way back.”