Alicia Hall

Alicia Hall, a 31-year-old White woman described by a family friend as a “most kindhearted, wonderful young lady” and an “angel,” was killed on her way home from an appointment in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The incident occurred on the afternoon of March 14, 2022, in the city’s Glenwood Hills neighborhood.

The shooting began around 2:14 p.m. when 52-year-old John Dawson Hunter started firing a rifle through the windows of his home on Montgomery Boulevard NE. Police later said they believed Hunter was experiencing a mental health crisis. He shot randomly at vehicles passing his house, first striking a Toyota Sequoia and injuring a 15-year-old girl inside with a bullet fragment. Shortly after, Alicia was driving her Chrysler Town & Country van and began to slow for a stop sign when Hunter fired four rounds at her vehicle. She was struck by at least one of the projectiles and died from her injuries. Hunter also shot and injured an adult male driver in a third vehicle.

The first 911 call came in at 2:17 p.m., and officers arrived on the scene within minutes. They found the injured teenage girl and began to render aid. At 2:27 p.m., a supervisor declared the situation an active shooter incident. Officers identified Hunter’s residence as the source of the gunfire and, by 2:41 p.m., were able to get close enough to Alicia’s van to determine she was deceased.

The confrontation ended about 40 minutes after it began. Hunter was seen walking outside with what appeared to be several weapons, including a large piece of glass shaped like a machete. After yelling at officers from a window, he exited his house. At 2:54 p.m., as officers approached, they believed he was surrendering. Instead, Hunter suddenly got to his feet and advanced on them. Officers deployed three bean bag rounds, which failed to stop him. Police then shot and killed John Dawson Hunter at the scene. Three officers sustained minor injuries during the incident, believed to be from debris when gunshots hit a cinderblock wall.

The Albuquerque Police Department investigated the shooting spree. Because the sole suspect was killed during the police response, the case is considered closed. The last developments in the case were reported in March 2022.