The Gallup Police Department is requesting assistance from the public in solving the death of an as-of-yet unidentified person. Investigations Captain Billy Padavich said Gallup officers were dispatched to Cedar Crest Apartments, 220 E. Nizhoni Blvd., about 8:48 pm on Aug. 22 in reference to a male who was lying in the southern portion of the parking lot of the complex and was not breathing. “When GPD officers arrived, there were a couple bystanders performing CPR on this individual along with one officer,” he said. Medical personnel arrived on scene shortly afterward and took the subject to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The male was described as a Native American in his late 50s or early 60s, about 5’9” and 160 pounds with gray hair. Padavich said this incident is being treated as a suspicious death because of physical trauma found on the person’s body. The victim had not been identified as of Aug. 24. There is also no concrete information on where the victim was from. There are no suspects, and while a number of witnesses at the scene did give a statement, Padavich said the department is focused on seeking the public’s help at this time. “We are asking if anyone has any information or they heard or saw anything in reference to this incident to come forward and contact Gallup police,” he said. Padavich admits this type of death is not a common occurrence for Gallup police, but it has happened on occasion. In addition, the department is awaiting the results of the autopsy being performed in Albuquerque. If you have any information regarding this incident, contact the Gallup Police Department Detective Division at (505)863-9365 or Metro Dispatch at (505)722-2002.
