California man charged in shooting of three cops after New Mexico robbery, police say

A California man has been charged in the shooting of multiple police officers who were injured Thursday while responding to a robbery at a New Mexico coffee shop, according to authorities.

James Ramirez, 27, a convicted felon from California, is charged with three counts of aggravated battery on a police officer, armed robbery, assault with intent to commit a violent felony, resisting, evading or obstructing an officer and felon in possession of a firearm, KRQE reported, citing a criminal complaint.

Albuquerque police officer Mario Verbeck was shot in the neck and is in critical condition, officer James Eichel was shot in the arm and Sgt. Sean Kenney was shot in the chest while wearing a bulletproof vest, the Associated Press reported. Officer Harry Gunderson was hit by glass and shrapnel in the face, according to the AP.

Authorities said the officers were responding to a robbery at Dutch Bros Coffee and “things went bad,” KOAT7 reported.

Ramirez was shot and is recovering at a hospital in Albuquerque, according to the AP.

“Police families should never have to receive the calls they’re getting today,” Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said in a statement. “We’re asking our entire community to have their backs and the backs of every officer who worked to find the suspects and bring them to justice after this senseless act of violence.”

Police said they’re looking for another person potentially connected to the shootings, according to a social media post. The person was described as “wearing all black” with a “gray Puma backpack,” authorities said.

This story was originally published August 19, 2021 at 2:00 PM with the headline "California man charged in shooting of three cops after New Mexico robbery, police say."