HollyMatkinAlbuquerque, NM – A National Guardsman was hailed as a hero on Sunday evening, after he fatally shot a man during an altercation that may have otherwise resulted in a double homicide.
The incident unfolded at approximately 5 p.m., when Albuquerque hotel owner Xiao Gong was driving her daughter to the airport, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
As Gong approached an intersection, her estranged husband, 66-year-old Qian Ming, intentionally slammed his truck into hers, KRQE reported.
Police said that Ming then jumped out of his vehicle, and opened fire on Gong and his daughter, hitting his daughter in the shoulder.
According to Albuquerque Police Department (APD) Officer Simon Drobik, an unnamed 12-year veteran of the National Guard pulled up to the scene, and witnessed Ming pistol striking his daughter in the head with the gun.
“Once he started walking up, he saw that there was a male violently pistol-whipping a female in the street,” Officer Drobik said. “He got out of his vehicle and had his firearm on him and told that male to stop.”
The 34-year-old Good Samaritan told officers that when Ming turned and pointed his pistol at him, he opened fire, killing Ming.
“To say the least, this guy prevented possibly a double homicide. That’s what we could have on our hands tonight,” Officer Drobik said, according to the Albuquerque Journal. “In my 19 years of experience, I would say that those two females would have been dead if he hadn’t stepped in and took action.”
Gong’s daughter was taken to a local hospital, and was listed in stable condition.
“He saved our lives,” Gong told police, according to Officer Drobik.
The Good Samaritan was detained by police, but released later on Sunday evening, KRQE reported.
He was not expected to be charged in relation to the shooting, but the final decision will rest with the District Attorney’s Office, Officer Drobik told the Albuquerque Journal.