Police have charged 56-year-old Thomas Newsome, a man they believe to be homeless, with murder for the shooting death of Eric Hunter, 39, at the Mail Boxes Etc. across from campus Tuesday.
A witness to the incident reportedly told police Newsome was crossing the intersection at Yale Boulevard and Central Avenue when he pointed a handgun at Hunter, who was driving by in his white Ford minivan.
Another witness told police Newsome pointed the same gun at a woman who was walking in the area.
Albuquerque Police Det. Jeff Arbogast said Hunter followed Newsome into the Mail Boxes Etc. to confront him about pulling the gun outside and it was then that he was shot multiple times.
Newsome died moments later after collapsing on the sidewalk outside of the business.
The charge Newsome is facing is an open count of murder.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
“Typically, when we charge someone with murder, it will be with an open count of murder,” Arbogast said.
Under New Mexico State statutes, murder can be classified as being in the first or second degrees or as a count of manslaughter.
Arbogast said first-degree murder relates to premeditated murder or murder occurring during the course of a felony and that murder in the second degree applies to non-premeditated murder.
Manslaughter, Arbogast said, applies to crimes of passion or negligent homicide.
A grand jury will determine what specific charge Newsome will face.
“My understanding is that he has been claiming self defense, but I have not reviewed his statement yet,” Arbogast said.
The APD detective added that the police investigation is still ongoing.
