Albuquerque Spirit Halloween shooting guard had prior battery charge

A security guard accused of fatally shooting a shoplifting suspect outside a Spirit Halloween in Albuquerque had been charged with misdemeanor battery in a separate on-the-job incident the month before. Josiah Armijo, 25, is facing a second-degree murder charge in the death of Chase Beltramo, whose death followed a confrontation outside the Carlisle Boulevard store.

Albuquerque police were called to the Spirit Halloween on Carlisle Boulevard near Indian School Road shortly after 5:30 p.m. Thursday for a reported shooting, Gilbert Gallegos, the police department’s communications director, said. Beltramo had been trying to steal about $90 worth of merchandise.

“The individual took several items, I think went through the points of sale without pay, and that’s when an employee tried to grab the merchandise from him. And the security guard came running and tackled him out into the front of the store,” Gallegos said.

Police said Armijo, who works for New Mexico Security Services, chased Beltramo outside and tackled him to the ground. Investigators say Armijo then pulled a gun and pointed it at Beltramo’s face.

Witnesses captured video of Armijo cursing at Beltramo and threatening to shoot him. During the struggle, Armijo pepper-sprayed him and pointed the gun again. APD says the video captures the sound of three gunshots.

“Detectives worked with the district attorney’s office through the night to figure out whether this would be justified or not. And they determined that there was enough evidence to go ahead and charge the security guard with second-degree murder,” Gallegos said.

Court documents show Armijo was working a security shift at a Dollar Tree off 98th Street last month when he approached a man on the property, yelled at him to leave, then chest-bumped him, according to a criminal complaint. He was charged with misdemeanor battery in that case, which is still pending.

Spirit Halloween sent a statement to KRQE: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred outside the Spirit Halloween consignment store on Carlisle Boulevard in Albuquerque. Our thoughts are with the individual’s family and all those affected. We are fully cooperating with local law enforcement as they investigate the circumstances surrounding this event. As this remains an active investigation, we defer to the Albuquerque Police Department for further details.”