Joe Murphy

Because I’d link to it. But, since I can’t link to it on their site, I’m posting it here. This news is from September 2006.

Witness: Man brings sword to gunfight

Source: KRQE News 13

ALBUQUERQUE — A shooting victim is in critical condition this morning after being shot in a supermarket parking lot.

Witnesses told KRQE News 13 the fight broke out Monday night between a man with a samurai sword and another man who had a gun.

Emergency personnel were called to the Albertsons at Eubank and Candelaria NE just before 8 p.m. after a man staggered in with a gunshot wound to his chest.

The name of the man believed to be in his 30s has not been released.

Witnesses described the scene in the parking lot as being like something out of a movie.

They said two men were in a heated argument with another man, and for a moment it appeared that all three were ready to leave. Then events moved quickly and got scary fast.

“The victim pulled out that sword, and then the guy in the white shirt whipped out the revolver and shot him,” witness Erin Hurst said.

“I heard a loud pop,” added Kris Wagner. “I looked behind me toward the Albertson’s store and there was single-cab, shortbed, two-tone, F-150 pickup that was racing up behind me as I was trying to exit the Eastdale parking lot to get back to Eubank.

“I tried to block him in because I thought that was odd.”

Police said the man was able to make it inside the store before calling for help. He was taken to a hospital and rushed into surgery.

Witnesses said the two men went west on Candelaria after the shooting in the early 90’s model Ford F-150 pickup that is described as green and blue.

Update 3:30 p.m. Albuquerque police have identified the shooting victim as Ralph Maso, 40, who is reported to be in critical condition after surgery. Police said they have not determined if Maso or the man with the pistol were acting in self-defense.