A 21-year-old man was shot by police in Albuquerque after pointing a replica BB gun at an officer responding to a 911 call. The incident is under multi-agency review as investigators examine whether proper protocols were followed.
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ALBUQUERQUE, NM (2-minute read) — What began as a call for help on July 4th quickly turned into a tense and tragic encounter on South Branch Drive SW in Albuquerque. Around 12:20 p.m., 21-year-old Jerry Baldonado contacted police, asking for assistance with a family dispute and reporting that his brother had a firearm the day before. However, the situation escalated when police arrived at the scene.
As Officer Dominic Sanchez approached the residence, he twice announced himself as a police officer. When the door opened, Baldonado stood inside, brandishing what looked like a real handgun. Believing his life was in danger, Sanchez fired three times, striking Baldonado in the arm, leg, and abdomen.
Only afterward did officers realize the firearm was actually a realistic-looking airsoft gun. Body-worn camera footage later revealed Baldonado smiling and shifting the replica gun between his hands moments before the shooting. A woman in the home yelled that the gun was a toy, but officers say they didn’t hear her in the chaos of the moment.
Baldonado has a known history of developmental disabilities and erratic behavior, including prior misleading 911 calls. In one previous incident, he falsely claimed he had been shot. His condition is currently stable as he recovers in the hospital.
For law enforcement officers, split-second decisions must be made when lives appear to be at risk. In this case, the airsoft gun was virtually indistinguishable from a real handgun, a growing concern in many officer-involved shootings nationwide.
The incident also sheds light on how developmental disabilities can complicate encounters with law enforcement, raising ongoing questions about mental health response protocols and de-escalation training.
Safety Tip: Always store realistic replica firearms, such as airsoft guns, out of reach of vulnerable individuals and ensure they are clearly marked to prevent tragic misunderstandings with law enforcement.
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