Former CNN correspondent shot after shootout in Albuquerque motel

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – A deadly shootout at an Albuquerque motel where police say a robber was killed involved a former CNN anchor and her husband, a former CNN reporter.

Lynne Russell told KRQE-TV they were staying at the Motel 6 Tuesday night when a robber pointed a gun at her abdomen when she went to get something from her car. She said the suspect then pulled her into her hotel room.

Russell said the robber got angry when the couple took too long to gather up everything he wanted to steal. That’s when she said her husband, Chuck De Caro, got into a shootout with the robber.

Police say the suspect was found in the motel parking lot. He was transported to a hospital where he later died. De Caro was found inside the motel room and was taken to a hospital. He is expected to recover.

Russell says she and her husband were driving from Washington D.C. to California and stopped for the night at the motel. She says they brought a gun just in case.

Police said they do not believe the couple was targeted for who they were.

At this time investigators are waiting for the Office of the Medical Investigator to confirm the identity of the suspect.

APD also said they are waiting to interview De Caro to get his version of how all this unfolded.

Russell says her husband is a hero.