APD: Suspect arrested after 2 shot in Rudy’s parking lot

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Police say a man shot at people randomly at a Rudy’s Bar-B-Q on Friday night in northeast Albuquerque. Two people were injured.

New Mexico State Police identified the shooter as 26-year-old Emilio Mirabel. 

A witness KOB 4 spoke with – who didn’t want to go on camera – says Mirabel was kicked out of Rudy’s after acting erratic and seemed to be on drugs. 

The witness says he appeared angry about getting kicked out and seemed to be having drug-induced paranoia. He could be heard saying “they’re out to get me.” Then, a random car turned into his target. 

Court documents say Mirabel shot at a car and hit the two people inside. They were taken to UNMH, but their condition is currently unknown.

The two people told police they had just finished a long day of landscaping when they wanted to stop for dinner.

The witness says Mirabel then started shooting at the Lotaburger.

According to the court documents, state police officers who were at the nearby NMSP office heard the radio call of shots fired and responded. 

Police say they saw Mirabel holding a handgun, and he “continued to shoot.” They ordered him to drop the gun several times, and were able to arrest him.

An Albuquerque police spokesperson says an APD officer fired their weapon after the initial shooting.

Later at the hospital, Mirabel was told he was charged with aggravated battery. He told police “that’s not that bad.” 

Mirabel has several aggravated battery and assault charges through the years. At one point, Mirabel was involved in a 2016 murder but only served four years for robbery after a plea deal.  

Mirabel is in jail and expected to be in court next week. 

The two victims – a man and a woman – are expected to survive.

A state police officer also fired at least one shot. Neither the suspect nor any officers were hit.