Inset: Kwamie L'Shuan Williamson (Metropolitan Detention Center). Background: The area in New Mexico where Williamson allegedly killed another man (Google Maps).
A 34-year-old man in New Mexico is accused of killing another man who was trying to protect a woman the shooter had been harassing, allegedly pulling up alongside the duo in a red Tesla and accosting the victim before shooting him in the chest with a rifle-style firearm.
Kwamie L'Shuan Williamson was taken into custody this week and charged with open murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated stalking, conspiracy to commit aggravated stalking, tampering with evidence and being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the slaying of 33-year-old Juan Lopez.
Officers with the Albuquerque Police Department responded to the 100 block of San Pablo Street SE shortly after 5 a.m. Monday regarding a reported shooting, local CBS affiliate KRQE reported. Upon arriving, first responders found a man, later identified as Lopez, suffering from a gunshot wound. Medical personnel transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The woman who was walking with Lopez told detectives that Williamson drove up in a red Tesla and got out carrying what she described as a rifle-style firearm, ABQ Raw reported.
According to the woman, Williamson got out of the car and approached Lopez, saying, "You talking s—?" That sparked a confrontation and within seconds, Williamson allegedly pulled out the gun and shot Lopez once in the chest.
Immediately after the shooting, Williamson and another man reportedly got back into the Tesla and sped away.
The woman further claimed that she had encountered Williamson several times prior to the fatal attack.
She told investigators that Williamson had been harassing her following a recent violent encounter and that she had moved three times to avoid him, local ABC affiliate KOAT reported. She also claimed that Williamson had robbed her during the most recent encounter.
Police identified the Tesla Williamson was allegedly driving and tracked it using automated license plate readers and surveillance video. Investigators also used cellphone data, witness statements and information from recent police encounters to help establish Williamson as the shooter.
Investigators soon located the Tesla, which had been abandoned in front of a residence in southeast Albuquerque.
Authorities surveilled the area and located Williamson, calling a SWAT team to conduct the arrest late Monday evening.
Albuquerque police also credited their ShotSpotter gunshot-detection system with assisting in the investigation. According to local NBC affiliate KOB, the system registered a gunshot at 5:12 a.m. in the area where Lopez was shot.
Police are reportedly searching for the passenger who was allegedly with Williamson at the time of the shooting.
Williamson is currently being held in the Metropolitan Detention Center without bond, records show. It was not immediately clear when he was scheduled to appear in court.
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