Police continue sweep of Albuquerque City Hall after ‘possible hostage situation’

Albuquerque police have locked down the Albuquerque City Hall building due to what the department called a possible hostage situation, and SWAT teams are sweeping the building.

However, police spokesman Tanner Tixier said at a 7:25 news conference that there was “no confirmation” anyone in the building was being held hostage.

The sweep was ongoing as of 10 p.m.

The scene at 4th and Marquette began just before 6 p.m. The Albuquerque Police Department initially called the incident a “possible active shooter” situation.

But police said at 6:30 p.m. that there was “no evidence of an active shooter” and that officers were “trying to confirm if there’s an active hostage situation.”

At 6:45 p.m., APD spokesman Tanner Tixier said there was “no confirmation of an active shooter or that any shots were fired.” He said officers were trying to determine or confirm if there is a hostage situation.

One man has been detained in the incident and is being questioned, according to Tixier. He was seen being led out of City Hall by police by a KOB photographer. Tixier said there was no word yet on his role.

Another man was seen being led out of the parking garage in handcuffs not long after 7 p.m. Police said at a 7:25 p.m. news conference that the man will likely not be charged and was caught in “the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Tixier said it is “very possible” the threat could have been a hoax, saying everyone was on high alert after the terrorism incident in Orlando, Florida.

SWAT officers are sweeping the building floor-by-floor. Several people who had been trapped inside have since been released. Tixier said the sweeps were taking time because of the size of the building, which has 11 floors and a basement.

He said dispatch initially received calls there was a possible active shooter in the building’s basement and on the first and 10th floors.

Several city councilors were trapped on the ninth floor of the building while it was placed on lockdown. All are OK, City Councilor Pat Davis told KOB.

“This one seemed real,” Davis told KOB after he was led out of the building by SWAT officers.

There are numerous officers in the area that have surrounded Albuquerque City Hall. All residents and drivers are asked to avoid the downtown area.

KOB has several reporters and photographers at the scene.

This is a developing news story. Stay posted to KOB.com and KOB Eyewitness News 4 for the latest updates.