Man unintentionally shot and killed hours after posting gun safety message

22-year-old Carlos Rueda, of Albuquerque, New Mexico was at a New Year's Eve party at a friend's house. Rueda and another friend, 20-year-old Ryan Wathen, were in a bedroom of the house. Wathen told police that Rueda asked him to pick up a handgun that was next to a computer in the room.

Wathen said Rueda told him not to worry, that the gun was not loaded. He said to Wathen, "don't you trust me?" and told him to point the pistol at Rueda's head and pull the trigger. Wathen did and the gun discharged, shooting Rueda in the head.

Rueda was taken to the hosptial where he died a short time later.

Rudea worked at Rio Rancho Armory gun dealer. He posted an article "Police Warn Residents Not to Shoot Guns on the Holiday" just hours before the shooting.

Wathen was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Police are calling the shooting a case of negligence and believe alcohol played a factor.

Albuquerque police sergeant unintentionally shoots fellow officer

Albuquerque, New Mexico police Sgt. Darcy McDermeit and Officer Scott Maher were searching for a possible armed suspect when McDermeit unintentionally discharged her weapon, shooting Maher in the lower leg.
According to reports, the officers entered a building with their handguns in a "low-ready" position, which means officers have their guns drawn but pointed downward. Albuquerque duty weapons do not have safeties, they are only either drawn or holstered.
McDermeit bumped into a wall and unintentionally discharged her weapon.
Maher was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released. It isn't known when he will be cleared to return to work.
McDermeit has been reassigned within the department until the investigation is over.

Gun Store Employee Unintentionally Shoots Customer

An employee at the Copper County Sporting Arms gun store in Silver City, New Mexico was unloading a .45 caliber handgun when he unintentionally discharged the weapon.
The bullet hit a 65-year-old customer in the back.
Police had to block off the area to allow space for an airmed helicopter to land to take the victim to the hospital. The man was flown to an El Paso hospital for treatment. He is listed in stable condition.
Police are still investigating the incident and have not yet determined if charges will be filed.

Woman attending New Mexico State University football game shot by stray bullet

57-year-old Patsy Beljarano of Las Cruces, New Mexico was attending her first college home football game at Aggie Memorial Stadium at New Mexico State University. She was sitting in the general admission section, eating candy when she felt something sting her left leg. She reached down, touched her jeans and saw blood, and realized she had been shot.
A local fire chief sitting in the same section tended to Patsy's wound until the paramedics arrived. She was airlifted to a medical center in El Paso. She was treated and released the next day and is now home recovering from her injuries.
Police are investigating the incident. They believe the bullet was probably fired from outside the stadium, possibility in celebration of a touchdown.
Patsy believes her leg probably blocked the bullet from hitting a young boy who was in the seat next to her.
Patsy told reporters that she had witnessed a shooting several years ago during a high school football game when a 14-year-old boy was wounded.
"It's ridiculous," she said. "You can't even go out anywhere anymore."

Albuquerque woman warns of defect with Taurus gun after unintentional shooting

Judy Price, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, bought a Taurus PT Millenium handgun for protection. One day, while taking off her sweatshirt her concealed weapons waistband holster fell. When the gun hit the floor it discharged. The bullet went into her thigh, through her colon and intestines and lodged in her liver. Judy suffered months of complications and surgeries.
She is now on a crusade to warn people about this defect with the Taurus handgun. She says she knows of at least five other cases where a similar thing happened. Judy has made fliers that she distributes at concealed weapon carry classes and plans to pass them out a gun shows.
Because guns are not regulated for safety by the Consumer Product Safety Commission there is no mechanism in place to force gun manufacturers to recall defective guns or to demand that safety features be incorporated into the design of new guns. A gun that fires when it is dropped would clearly not meet product safety standards.
Ohh shoot.

Man who unintentionally shot and killed his 3-year-old son and tried to blame it on a drive-by shooting sentenced to jail

Hector Garcia-Salas, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was handling a gun inside his apartment when he unintentionally discharged the firearm, striking and killing his 3-year-old son. Garcia-Salas was a felon, on probation, and was prohibited from possessing a gun so in an effort to cover up what had happened, he carried his son's body outside, put him on the sidewalk and told police the boy had been killed in a drive-by shooting.
This week, Garcia-Salas pleaded guilty to charges of abandonment of a child resulting in death, tampering with evidence, child abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 15 years in jail.

Man cleaning his gun shoots 4-year-old son and mother

Aaron E. of Chaparral, New Mexico was cleaning his 9mm semi-automatic handgun when it unintentionally discharged. The bullet hit his 4-year-old son, went through the boy's chest, and shot his mother. Both the child and the woman were rushed to the hospital where they are listed in critical condition.
According to Aaron's father, Aaron is an Army veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. "He has experience with guns, but it was an accident, it always happens, and those who have guns at home, be careful with them," he said.
A picture on Aaron's MySpace shows him teaching his young son to hold a handgun. The caption reads "never to [sic] early to play with guns."
Ohh shoot.