ALBQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's most populous city is reacting to the mass shooting Saturday in El Paso, Texas, by stepping up security at shopping stores and some department stores such as Walmarts.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and Police Chief Mike Geier said the boosted police presence would continue through the back-to-school shopping weekend, which includes a tax-free holiday for school items.
The officials commented in an Albuquerque Police Department statement that also said police would deploy a team to a Saturday evening downtown festival.
The officials said in the statement that the moves were a "response to the tragic shooting today in El Paso" and that they wanted to reassure Albuquerque residents and others from around New Mexico.