Suspect accused of shooting Albuquerque police officer had long criminal record

This undated photo shows Davon Lymon, who was arrested in connection with the Oct. 21, 2015 shooting of an Albuquerque Police officer. (Albuquerque Police Department)

The suspect accused of shooting and critically wounding an Albuquerque police officer Wednesday has a lengthy criminal record, court documents show.

Police identified the suspect in custody as 34-year-old Davon Lymon in a tweet early Thursday. He pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and aggravated battery in 2002, and pleaded guilty to fraud and forgery the year before.

Lymon also faced aggravated battery and kidnapping charges last year, but those cases were dismissed, online records show. It's not immediately clear whether he has an attorney

The eight-year veteran officer underwent surgery Wednesday night and was in critical but stable condition Thursday morning. Albuquerque police spokeswoman Celina Espinoza said in an email that he is not out of the woods yet.

"He and his family are in need of many, many prayers," she wrote. The wounded officer's name was not immediately released.

Police say the shooting occurred during a traffic stop near a Walgreen's at the junction of Central and Eubank, in the eastern part of the city near Interstate 40. Police Chief Gorden Eden said the officer deployed a stun gun before being shot.

"For me, this is a terrible day. A terrible day," Eden said at a news conference. He had urged residents in the area of the store to stay inside with doors and windows locked, and to call 911 about anything suspicious.

He said Bernalillo County Sheriff's deputies and the state police assisted in the search.

The shooting comes as New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas has launched a task force to examine how repeat offenders leave the state's criminal justice system quickly and commit more crimes. He launched the effort after authorities say another repeat offender shot and killed a Rio Rancho police officer earlier this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.