A tragic incident unfolded as a New Mexico man, Christian Bencomo, 21, shot his stepmother during a high school graduation ceremony at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
According to Fox News, the Albuquerque Police Department responded to a call about shots fired around 5 p.m.
Cristian Bencomo was booked into jail on Wednesday, May 8, accused of shooting his stepmother, the Albuquerque Police Department said in a post on X.
“Detectives are booking Christian Bencomo, 21, for shooting his step-mother. The step-mother was attending the graduation of her son. Her step-son arrived and as she started to hug him, he produced a handgun and shot her in the neck. Bystanders held him until officers arrived”, Albuquerque police wrote.
The victim was attending the Southwest Secondary Learning Center graduation for her son when Bencomo arrived.
As she attempted to hug him, he produced a handgun and shot her in the neck, according to police.
“As you can imagine, there was a lot of chaos at the time,” APD Communications Director Gilbert Gallegos told the media at the scene.
At the charter school graduation ceremony, where over 100 people were present, the woman was quickly rushed to a hospital following the shooting.
Fortunately, she is expected to survive. Bencomo was apprehended by bystanders and held until police arrived, according to the APD.
Jennifer Renfro, who witnessed the incident, recounted that the graduates had just received their diplomas and roses to give to their “important person.” She hugged her son and then heard a loud pop.
“A lot of people thought it was a firecracker or a balloon. We all crouched down,” she told the news outlet, adding that her daughter hid on the ground.
Bencomo faces several charges including unlawful carrying of a weapon, aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, aggravated battery with intent to cause great bodily harm to a family member, and preventative detention, according to jail records at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center.
He is currently held without bail.
