Albuquerque Police Release Details on Deadly Shooting During Attempted Carjacking

Officer fatally shot a man who allegedly pointed a gun during an incident at an Amazon distribution center

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Albuquerque police have released details about an incident in January where an officer shot and killed a man during an attempted carjacking. Officers responded to a disturbance at an Amazon distribution center, where a 911 call reported an armed man, later identified as James Litteral, stealing from the center. Litteral fled in a truck, leading officers on a chase. He was later seen on a roof near Singing Arrow Avenue, and despite commands, allegedly attempted to carjack an SUV. The officer said Litteral pointed a gun, prompting the officer to fire, hitting Litteral twice. Litteral died at the scene despite first aid efforts.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the challenges and risks faced by law enforcement when responding to reports of armed suspects and attempted carjackings. The use of deadly force by police is a sensitive and controversial issue, and this case will likely undergo a thorough investigation to determine if the officer's actions were justified.

The details

According to police, officers responded to a disturbance at an Amazon distribution center on Jan. 10, 2026, near Cochiti Road SE. A 911 call reported an armed man, later identified as James Litteral, stealing from the center. Litteral fled in a truck, leading officers on a chase. He was later seen on a roof near Singing Arrow Avenue. Despite commands, police say Litteral attempted to carjack an SUV, and the officer involved said Litteral pointed a gun, prompting the officer to fire and hit Litteral twice. Litteral died at the scene despite first aid efforts.

  • The incident occurred on January 10, 2026.
  • Litteral was seen on a roof near Singing Arrow Avenue.

The players

James Litteral

A man who was allegedly stealing from an Amazon distribution center and later attempted to carjack an SUV, leading to a fatal shooting by a police officer.

Albuquerque Police Department (APD)

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and is investigating the shooting.

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What’s next

The Multi-Agency Task Force and APD's Internal Affairs Force Division will continue their investigations into the shooting to determine if the officer's actions were justified.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the complex and dangerous situations that law enforcement officers can face when responding to reports of armed suspects. The thorough investigations by the Multi-Agency Task Force and APD's Internal Affairs Force Division will aim to provide a clear understanding of the events and the officer's decision-making process.