Off-Duty Cop Faces Charges After Confronting Woman in Minor Fender Bender

Key Takeaways

• An off-duty Albuquerque officer faces charges after a minor rear-end crash.
• He was a passenger, not the driver, when the collision happened.
• Bystander video appears to show him confronting the woman.
• The officer allegedly threw the woman against the side of her car without identifying himself.
• He has been indicted for false imprisonment and misdemeanor battery.

What Happened in the Incident?

The incident happened on March 28 near Paseo del Norte and Universe in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

According to reports, a 33-year-old woman hit the rear of the car that off-duty officer Shawn Ginn was riding in as a passenger.

Security camera footage captures the events right after impact, appearing to show Ginn approaching the woman’s vehicle, flinging open the door and moving toward her aggressively.

How Did the Officer React?

Bystanders then filmed what appears to show Ginn grabbing the woman by her wrists, pulling her from the vehicle, and pushing her against the rear fender while forcing her arm behind her back.

He allegedly did all of this without identifying himself as an off-duty officer.

Police quickly arrived on the scene, speaking with the woman, as well as Ginn and those who witnessed the incident.

What Was the Outcome of the Incident?

Ginn reportedly told police he thought the female driver was drunk, but a field sobriety test conducted at the scene showed that not to be the case.

Local authorities opened an internal affairs investigation into Ginn, but he announced his retirement before it could be completed.

What Do Witnesses Say Happened?

Speaking with police at the scene, one witness said, “All I saw was him grabbing her and pushing her to the side of the car and kind of yanking her.

That’s what I saw. It was very, very rough.”

Another added that they “heard the hit, and then he immediately pulled over and just bulldogged right over to her, started barking at her and swung her car door open.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What were the charges filed against the off-duty officer?

The officer was indicted for false imprisonment and misdemeanor battery.

He allegedly threw the woman against the side of her car without identifying himself.

Q: What happened to the officer after the incident?

The officer announced his retirement before an internal affairs investigation could be completed.

He was a passenger, not the driver, when the collision happened.

Q: Did the woman who caused the crash show any signs of intoxication?

No, a field sobriety test conducted at the scene showed that the woman was not drunk.

The officer reportedly thought she was intoxicated, but this was not the case.