VIDEO: Man accused of trying to grab officer’s gun during Downtown kerfuffle
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Violence and crime have been a big issue in Downtown Albuquerque, and authorities have been stepping up patrols to try and curb the trend. An incident last year helped spark the increase in patrols.
Last December, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) was breaking up a fight and spotted a gun. As police went to question the man, another person intervened and tried to grab an officer’s gun.
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Police officers responded to a dispute between two men in front of El Rey last December. After separating the men, the man wearing black was seen pulling at his waistband. Police perceived the item to be a gun. The officers went to look for him and wanted to make sure a fight didn’t break out.
In the parking lot, there was another dispute. This time, it included the other man and a person identified as Sebastian Smith. The officer grabbed Smith and pulled him away, but it turned into a tussle.
A criminal complaint said Smith was attempting to grab the officer’s handgun out of the holster during the altercation. The officer said he spun Smith around to take e him into custody, but he ended up falling. More officers came to help.
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Smith was arrested and is facing charges of disarming and assaulting a peace officer, disorderly conduct, and concealing his identity.
Smith is currently out of jail awaiting trial; no date has been set yet.
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