ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Newly released video shows how a high school graduation in Albuquerque unfolded into chaos and terror after a 21-year-old shot his stepmom in the neck. The scene went from celebration to people scrambling for cover after hearing a gun go off in the middle of an auditorium at the downtown Albuquerque Convention Center.
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What was an emotional high school graduation for dozens of families, ends with a gunshot and screaming. It happened last May during the Southwest Secondary Learning Center charter school’s commencement inside the Albuquerque Convention Center.
According to Albuquerque police, just as the ceremony ended, Christian Bencomo went up to his stepmom and shot her in the neck.
Police body camera video shows how the packed room went from people laughing, to trying to comprehend what happened in a panic. When police got on scene, they found other people at the ceremony had already taken down the suspect, holding him to the ground.
Police: “Is he the only suspect?”
Witness: “The only shooter. Only one shot.”
Video shows police dragging Bencomo out of the building, taking him into custody. A bystander’s cell phone video captured Bencomo in a red sweatshirt approaching his stepmom. According to witnesses, when she tried to hug Bencomo, he drew a handgun and fired once.
Officer: “Did you hear a gunshot?”
Witness: “Yes.”
Police: “How many did you hear?”
Witness: “Just one. I thought it was a confetti cannon, and then everyone started screaming.”
After the shooting, witnesses said they tried to make sure Bencomo couldn’t cause any more harm.
“What I did was I took him to the ground and tried to secure his hands. I was yelling at the guys, ‘I don’t know if the guns under him. I don’t know if the gun is under him. Secure the gun. Find the gun,’” one witness told Albuquerque police officers.
The victim survived the shooting. Cristian Bencomo is still facing attempted murder and weapons charges. He is expected in court for another hearing in June.
While still awaiting trial, Bencomo is out of jail but remains on house arrest. Police and prosecutors have not released any details about a potential motive.