ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The suspect Albuquerque police shot and killed Saturday at a mobile home park effectively had no business having a gun, the city’s interim police chief said.

“He has a very lengthy criminal history,” APD Interim Police Chief Cecily Barker said.

Police shot and killed 40-year-old James Litteral. According to APD, he and Jeffrey Morales went to the Amazon Distribution Center – near Central and Juan Tabo – and started stealing packages from the building and trucks.

“They were notified that the person had come inside. He had a firearm in his back pocket. He implied to them that he had a firearm,” Barker said.

Barker said the two suspects drove away before officers found them near a mobile home park on Singing Arrow Avenue. She claimed Litteral ran away and tried carjacking someone.

“He went up to the vehicle, which was in the middle of the street, and was banging on the windows. The driver of that vehicle was in fear,” she said.

Barker said officers tried to tase Litteral but it didn’t work. That’s when police say he pulled out a gun and at least one officer shot and killed him.

Litteral has charges dating back to 2007, including numerous gun crimes, aggravated battery and assault, stolen vehicles and resisting an officer. His most recent charge from May of last year was for being an out-of-state fugitive. Literal was wanted in Illinois for burglary.

As for his alleged partner, officers arrested Morales at a nearby home. He is facing several charges, including burglary and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon.

This was APD’s first shooting by an officer of the year and the first one to take place under Barker’s leadership. In 2025, APD was involved in 15 shootings – 11 deadly.