IRONIC and TRAGIC –
July 10, 2026 – A man who was shot during an officer-involved shooting in downtown Albuquerque last weekend has died of an apparent overdose after he was released from the hospital, Juan Ortega, 40, died at a residence in the 6000 block of Dennison Road SW on Thursday. Police say narcotics were found near his body. Ortega was recovering from a gunshot wound he sustained on July 3.
Leading up to the shooting, Ortega and Stephen Griego, 41, were fighting in the area of Central Ave. and 3rd St, according to police. APD responded to the shooting. An officer shot Griego, who died, APD says. Ortega was also shot, although APD has not confirmed whether he was shot by an officer, or by Griego.
