Davon Lymon, Alleged Shooter of APD Officer, Charged with Violating Federal Firearms Laws

ALBUQUERQUE – This morning the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) filed a criminal complaint charging Albuquerque resident Davon Lymon, 34, with a violation of the federal firearms laws.  The federal charge against Lymon was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez, Special Agent in Charge Thomas G. Atteberry of the Phoenix Field Division of ATF, Chief Gorden Eden, Jr., of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD), Special Agent in Charge Carol K.O. Lee of the Albuquerque Division of the FBI, U.S. Marshal Conrad E. Candelaria, New Mexico State Police Chief Pete N. Kassetas, Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales, III, Chief Michael Geier of the Rio Rancho Police Department, and Chief Jimmy Glascock of the New Mexico Transportation Police Division.

The federal charge against Lymon, 34, a resident of Albuquerque, N.M., arises out of a traffic stop by an APD officer on the evening of Oct. 21, 2015, in southeast Albuquerque, during which Lymon allegedly fired six rounds at the APD officer as the officer attempted to handcuff Lymon.  Several rounds struck the APD officer, including one that struck the officer in the face near the chin.  The APD officer was transported to a local hospital for treatment where he remains in critical condition.

According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 21, 2015, the APD officer executed a traffic stop on a motorcycle being operated by Lymon which allegedly bore a stolen license plate.  As the APD officer approached Lymon and the motorcycle, he spoke to Lymon who allegedly failed to comply with the officer’s orders.  The complaint alleges that, when the APD officer attempted to detain and handcuff Lymon, Lymon drew a firearm and shot the officer.  Lymon then fled from the scene; he was arrested last night when law enforcement officers and canines found him hiding in a shed with a handcuff still attached to one of his wrists.  Lymon was transported to a local hospital where he is being treated for injuries sustained as a result of the canine apprehension.  He will be taken into federal custody upon discharge from the hospital.

During last night’s investigation, law enforcement officers recovered six cartridges in the area in which the APD officer was shot.  They also recovered a semiautomatic pistol from a vacant lot in the area Lymon allegedly fled towards as he left the scene of the shooting.

Lymon was prohibited from possessing either firearms or ammunition on Oct. 21, 2015, because he previously has been convicted of felony offenses in two state court cases.  Lymon’s crimes of conviction include voluntary manslaughter, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon resulting in great bodily harm, fraud and forgery.   

If convicted of the crime charged in the criminal complaint, Lymon faces a statutory maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison.  Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations.  All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

 This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of ATF, APD, the Albuquerque office of the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the New Mexico State Police, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, the Rio Rancho Police Department and the New Mexico Transportation Police Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob A. Wishard is prosecuting the case.

This case is being prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution.  Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.  Because New Mexico’s violent crime rates, on a per capita basis, are amongst the highest in the nation, New Mexico’s law enforcement community is collaborating to target repeat offenders from counties with the highest violent crime rates, including Bernalillo County, under this initiative.

lymon_complaint.pdf (199.69 KB)