- On October 22, 2022 in Española, New Mexico, two people were shot and one killed by Fabian Archuleta (39) otherwise known as “Stomper.” Archuleta was trying to sell a red mustang, which was reported stolen in Albuquerque, to Juan Antonio Luis Martinez around 1:30 a.m. on Calle Borrego. A friend of Martinez who was also shot during the incident explained that at some point, Archuleta left before returning with his girlfriend in her minivan. He then pulled out a rifle, shot Martinez’s friend and then shot Martinez in the head. He ran over one of the victims’ bodies before taking off. https://bit.ly/3WFPe29
- On October 18, 2022 in Rio Arriba County, the Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office investigated a dispute that turned deadly at a trailer park outside Española. Jerrid Maestas told police he was arguing with two drunk men who were later identified as Elmer Sanchez Sr. and Elmer Sanchez Jr. when they shot at him. However, Sanchez Jr. was shot and later died from his injuries. Maestas denied having a gun but his girlfriend told police that not only did he have one but that he got rid of it moments after the shooting. Maestas is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. https://bit.ly/3EqRnZt
- On September 12, 2022 in Española, New Mexico, 66-year-old Samphong Phanomsack was arrested in connection to a sexual assault that occurred on August 22 where a woman was held at gun point, kidnapped, and raped. Phanomsack is one of the three men that committed the crime. Donnie Deaguero (45) has since been arrested, and police are still searching for Jeremy Naranjo (31). All three suspects are to be charged with a handful of felony charges. https://bit.ly/3XdQTN5
- On August 23, 2022 in Española, New Mexico, Adel Jesus Valdez turned himself in to police for having shot a man on County Road 52. According to Valdez, she shot the victim because of an argument between the two. https://bit.ly/3DUeHih
- On June 21, 2022 in Española, New Mexico, Tina Juarez had just finished grocery shopping at Center Market on North Riverside Dr., when she returned to her car, she was barely able to enter it because another car had parked so close. In her attempt to slide into her vehicle, the door lightly hit that of the Mazda beside her. Angel Chavez, who was sitting in the back seat of the Mazda became irate, opening the door to prevent her from backing out. He then stated “Do you want to die today? Because I can make that happen.” before pulling out a handgun. He shot her arm and the bullet lodged in her neck. Chavez has since been released from custody to house arrest, which has caused distress for Juarez, as she now fears for her life. https://bit.ly/3s2jNm5
- On May 16, 2022 in Los Brazos, New Mexico, Micheal Keith was arrested for shooting and killing Danny Mahoney (63). The two neighbors were known to have an ongoing dispute. https://bit.ly/3zXHdxo
- On April 12, 2022 in Española, New Mexico, a couple was arrested after starting a fight and threatening employees with a firearm at a local gas station. Around 10 p.m., police were notified that suspects Abel Trujillo (34) and Raelyne Martinez (33) had started a fight with a gas station employee by throwing shelf racks on the floor before being kicked out of the store. Trujillo punched the employee before grabbing a gun from his vehicle and threatening him with it. Both suspects were detained when police arrived on scene. https://bit.ly/3bdUVTk
- On February 21, 2022 in Española, New Mexico, a suspect was arrested for drug trafficking and possession of stolen firearms. 26-year-old Nicholas Gilbert Martinez is a registered felon who was found by police in a stolen vehicle within which they discovered multiple illicit substances and firearms. https://bit.ly/3ueVLoq
- On December 28, 2021 in Española, New Mexico near Campo Verdo, a woman committed suicide with a handgun following a domestic dispute with her boyfriend. https://bit.ly/3uv0h3Y
- On November 16, 2021 in Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, an employee of Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) was arrested after confronting his girlfriend with a gun. The victim, a former player for the NNMC women’s basketball team, reported to police that Javier Roper (25) found her at a friend’s home where she was studying with three other peers. He pulled out a handgun, aiming it at her, her friend, and himself. She exited the friend’s home with Roper, where he forced her to the ground. Upon arrest, he expressed his impression that the victim was unfaithful, prompting the dispute. He denied pointing a gun at anyone. Roper’s position as a strength and conditioning coach at NNMC has since been terminated. https://bit.ly/3GK8F2p
- On September 29, 2021 in Chimayo, New Mexico, police arrested Danny Trujillo who was wanted for shooting at a Santa Fe Sheriff’s deputy. Trujillo was spotted and a chase ensued with police. Trujillo fired several rounds from his vehicle. He was later arrested and booked into jail. https://bit.ly/3d9Azbo
- On September 22, 2021 in Española, New Mexico, several suspects were arrested for a kidnapping which had occurred the week prior (September 17) at a Walgreens. The victim, whose identity has remained anonymous, informed police that a vehicle containing suspects Lucas Naranjo (40), Aspen Newman (27), and Nicholas Gonzales (32) pulled up alongside his car with a gun and aimed it at him. They instructed him to pull into the Walgreens where they forced him into their vehicle, threatening him over fentanyl pills that “belonged to the cartel.” When the victim informed them that he was not in possession of the pills, they threatened to harm and kill him. The victim directed his kidnappers to Chamita with the promise of drugs. He was able to escape the vehicle and flag down a state trooper. The trio were armed with guns and all three are facing numerous charges. https://bit.ly/3ImPPQB
- On July 17, 2021 in Española, New Mexico, a 17 year old was shot by her ex-boyfriend and kicked four times in the back on 31 Mile Road. The ex-boyfriend is Raynell Garcia (18). The 17-year-old and her mother were afraid of pressing charges due to a fear of retaliation. All charges were dropped. https://bit.ly/3iMwEED
- On June 14, 2021, in Espanola, New Mexico, police were attempting to arrest Jerome Naranjo (37) for a stabbing that occurred in Chamita. Naranjo pointed a gun at the officers. An officer shot him but believes he missed Naranjo. Naranjo fled and is considered armed and dangerous. https://bit.ly/3ePhVXt
- On June 8, 2021, in Rio Arriba County, Espanola police shot and killed Louis Leyba (38) while doing a welfare check that involved a woman outside of a vehicle in the Ranchitos Parking lot. https://bit.ly/381IMf1
- On May 29, 2021 in the area of Hopewell Lake, New Mexico, police arrested Xavier Gonzales (44) after they were made aware of someone shooting in the area of Hopewell Lake. Upon arrival, police found a man intoxicated and in possession of a rifle. Gonzales was arrested and charged with the negligent use of a firearm. https://bit.ly/3xiqL73
- On April 30, 2021 in Espanola, New Mexico, Anthony Trujillo (28) was accused of driving to a home to buy cocaine. He got in an argument with Rocky Gonzales (45) and in the course of the argument fatally shot him. https://bit.ly/3tKoI9x
- On March 31, 2021, in Petaca, New Mexico, the Rio Arriba Sheriff’s Office charged Bonita Burkeimer (43) for shooting and killing Michael Barela outside of a home on N.M. 519. Anthony Pena (53) was charged with shooting and killing Larry Herrera at the same home. https://bit.ly/3sfWzGy
- On March 16, 2021, In Chamita, New Mexico, New Mexico State Police said Fernando Martinez (35) was shot and killed at a residence in Chamita. Three others were injured in an apparent meth drug deal that went bad. On April 7, police arrested Mario Valdez (31) and his father Andrew Valdez (50) in the shooting of Martinez and the three others. https://bit.ly/3dPxdKz
- On March 15, 2021, in Dulce, New Mexico, state prosecutors charged Elmo Sandoval (52) with second degree murder charges in the shooting of his uncle Duane Sandoval. The shooting occurred after the two got in an argument about who owned the land. https://bit.ly/3uMi3wD
- On February 18, 2021 in Española, New Mexico, a man named Joshua was charged with negligent use of a deadly weapon after an incident where he was intoxicated, on narcotics and was firing shots in the air. https://bit.ly/31j0lnH
- On December 16, 2020 in Española, New Mexico, Beth Madrid was charged after shooting a man at a residence after a fight broke out. https://bit.ly/3btzb22
- On November 30, 2020 in Alcalde, New Mexico, New Mexico State Police arrested 53-year-old Timothy Lopez and charged him with first degree murder in the shooting death of 58-year-old Thomas Derik Velarde. Lopez shot Velarde at a gas station on Thanksgiving morning. He told police that he shot him because he had raped his girlfriend. https://bit.ly/3lCbxTY
- On November 30, 2020 in Alcalde, New Mexico, New Mexico State Police arrested 53-year-old Timothy Lopez and charged him with first degree murder in the shooting death of 58-year-old Thomas Derik Velarde. Lopez shot Velarde at a gas station on Thanksgiving morning. He told police that he shot him because he had raped his girlfriend. https://bit.ly/3lCbxTY
- On November 20, 2020, Española Police with the assistance of New Mexico State police captured 34-year-old Herbert Romero for a shooting that occurred in mid-September in Española. https://bit.ly/2XnyRLs
- On November 9, 2020, in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, 35-year-old Martin Chavez was charged with kidnapping his ex-girlfriend at gun point and hitting her with the butt of the gun. They had met at a parking lot store to return personal items after the breakup. When police tried to arrest him, he fled on foot. Two days later he stole the ex-girlfriend’s car because he still had spare keys. https://bit.ly/2LlvAJT
- On October 29, 2020, in the city of Española, 17-year-old Raynel Garcia was shot in the head. When Espanola police arrived, the victim was falling in and out of consciousness. He told the officers he had given someone a ride and that the person attempted to carjack him. https://bit.ly/2HNqBQX
- On October 23, 2020, the Rio Grande Sun reported that on September 24th, police responded to reports of a man shot in the head. Officer Medina says that when he arrived the victim was awake but could not speak. https://bit.ly/32xtiNL
- On October 19, 2020, in Española, New Mexico, an employee at GameStop stated he was robbed at gunpoint. The robber brandished a handgun and demanded cash. When the employee panicked while opening the drawer the robber shot the wall of the store. He left with about $500.00 worth of cash. https://bit.ly/39rZTsm
- On August 31, 2020 in Petaca, NM, Morris Lovoto (55) and Jan Fairchild, (57) had warrants out for their arrests after breaking into a home and threatening the residents with a firearm, hitting the residents with a hammer and cutting the man with a razor blade. https://bit.ly/357uFTF
- On June 13, 2020, a call from an Allsups employee revealed two alleged drug users were involved in a shots fired call earlier in the evening. A man was arrested. https://bit.ly/2SW8gTw
- March 3, 2020 – Woman kidnapped at gunpoint, tortured and pushed off a bridge by Benton Rael, 44, Kevin Gonzales, 41, and Leann Romero, 27, who have been charged. SOURCE: Santa Fe New Mexican, March 3, 2020
- On September 16, 2019 in Espanola, New Mexico, Ivan, “Scrappy” Maestas, age 39, was shot and killed by Adam Lavata, age 35. The shooting was the result of an altercation at a residence. Maestas had arrived home intoxicated and began threatening others with a knife before Lavato discharged a firearm with a warning and then fired a fatal shot. SOURCE: ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL
- On January 5, 2019, Ohkay Owingeh police and the FBI were investigating a fatal shooting near the Ohkay Motel Casino on New Mexico 68 north of Española. The victim was a Native American man and authorities were still searching for a suspect. Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
- On December 11, 2018, in Espanola, New Mexico, officials said a gunman confronted two female students at Northern New Mexico College. No shots were fired and the men fled in a vehicle with two other occupants. Northern New Mexico College locked down its campus. Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
- On October 20, 2018, in Espanola, New Mexico, Anthony Manzanares was shot and killed. Police are investigating whether Manzanares was involved in an altercation on October 18. In that incident, police were told an unidentified male tried to pick a fight with Manzanares and threatened to shoot him and his girlfriend. On the 20th, a car drove up and two men emerged from the vehicle and shot him before driving off. Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
- On October 4, 2018, in Espanola, New Mexico, Cameron Martinez, 18 years old, was killed in a shooting and three other people were wounded. Reports came in of multiple victims with gunshot wounds on New Mexico 68. Upon arrival, officers found two men and two women inside a vehicle, all with apparent gunshot wounds. Martinez was in a student program at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Source: Albuquerque Journal
- On May 5, 2018, in Espanola, New Mexico, a 36-year-old woman was shot and killed by Douglas D. Smith, age 68, who said he was trying to scare off a suspected prowler. Smith called the police and summoned them to his property. Smith was charged with second-degree murder. Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
- On December 21, 2017, in Mendalas, New Mexico, William Jimerson, 67, was found dead by neighbors with two bullet wounds to the head. The previous night, state police officers had been called to Jimerson’s house to take a report for arson. Jimerson reported that a suspect identified as Gabriel Sanchez, age 25, of Santa Clara, attempted to burn his residence, which is a single-wide trailer west of US 84, and wanted to kill him. The fire was located at the main entrance to the residence. The fire occurred in a woodpile and fire investigators determined that an accelerant, such as gasoline, was used to start the fire. According to the report William Jimerson alleged (to the responding officers) that Gabriel Sanchez wanted to kill him over a girl identified as Arajo Ann Martinez. After investigating, State Police Agent Joey Gallegos charged Sanchez with an open count of murder and tampering with evidence, after arresting him at his Santa Clara home Monday night. Source: Rio Grande Sun
- Between December 13 and December 19, 2017, in Española, New Mexico, three people allegedly armed with knives or guns robbed four businesses. Española police officers arrested Cristobal Quihuis, 38, of Española, on Dec. 17, shortly after he allegedly robbed Baskin Robbins at knifepoint. An arrest warrant has also been issued for Donald Salazar, age 37 for robberies at Motel 6 and a Giant gas station. A third suspect, who robbed Allsup’s on Dec. 13, has not been identified and police are seeking help to find the man responsible. Source: Rio Grande Sun
- On June 16, 2017, in Espanola, New Mexico, police charged Damian Herrera, age 21, with several counts of murder following the killing spree over a three-hour span. These homicides included the shooting deaths of Herrera’s mother, Maria Rosita Gallegos, age 49, stepfather, Max Trujillo Sr., age 55, and brother Brendan Herrera, age 20. New Mexico state police say Herrera also killed a third man, Michael Hyle, during a carjacking in Taos county and a fourth man, Manuel Serrano, at a general store in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Source: KOB4 News
- On February 18, 2017, in Alcalde, New Mexico, Anthony Montoya showed up at a woman’s home with a revolver and threatened her in front of her 3-year-old granddaughter. He said he would kill her and her children if she continued to “snitch” on him. After Montoya left, she called the Rio Arriba County sheriff’s office and reported the incident. Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
- On January 27, 2017, in Espanola, New Mexico, a shooting occurred outside a gas station. Espanola police are searching for an Espanola Valley High School boys basketball player and another person in conjunction with this shooting that critically injured a 20-year-old man. Police chief Richard Gallego said the victim was shot in the head and is in critical condition after undergoing surgery at the University of New Mexico hospital.
- On October 6, 2016, in Espanola, New Mexico, police made an arrest in an Espanola shooting that injured a young mother in a trailer park in September. Robert Doss and his girlfriend, 22-year-old Fatima Trujillo, were driving to a friend’s house in Espanola with their 9 month-old baby in the backseat. Doss told police he and another driver gave each other a “stare-down.” The other driver, now identified as Bernardo Valdez, followed them and eventually started shooting, hitting Trujillo in the chest. One of the shots went through the passenger side door and struck Fatima Trujillo. Bernardo Valdez, age 29 of Espanola, is suspected of firing twice at a vehicle in the Zia Estates Trailer Park. Sources: Santa Fe New Mexican and KRQE
- On August 6, 2015, in Espanola, New Mexico, 36-year-old Jeannie Guttierrez was shot and killed in a road rage incident. She was a member of the Santa Clara Pueblo.
- On June 6, 2015, in Dulce, New Mexico, a man shot himself to death when police showed up at a campsite in response to a 911 domestic violence call. When the police approached the tent, the man emerged from the tent with a handgun. He then held the handgun up to his chin and shot and killed himself.
- On March 25, 2015, in Rio Arriba, New Mexico, a man is being held on a first-degree murder charge for killing another man after a heated exchange in a Rio Arriba home. Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
- On July 23, 2014, in Rio Arriba, New Mexico, ‘Bear” Sandoval considers himself lucky to be alive after his car was ambushed with gunfire. His body was covered in blood because of the broken glass. Luckily the bullets missed him. Source: Albuquerque Journal
- On January 17, 2013, in Rio Arriba, New Mexico, a 51-year-old male is behind bars after shooting and killing his 17-year-old niece. Source: Journal Staff Report
- On September 13, 1993, in Rio Arriba, New Mexico, 9-year-old Vanessa Valerio was shot and killed by a home intruder. Her mother was also shot but survived. A playground has been built in honor of the girl. Source: Daily Kos
- On January 28, 1991, in Chimayo, New Mexico, a 28-year-old man shot and killed 7 people including a baby and 2 police officers. Source: Los Angeles Times
- On April 22, 2013, in Espanola, New Mexico, 36-year-old Sergio Gandara shot and killed his 33-year-old ex-girlfriend Joneth Boroquez before turning the handgun on himself. Ms. Boroquez is the mother of a 7-year-old girl. Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
- On April 4, 2014, in Espanola, New Mexico, a 3-year-old was grazed by a bullet in the Walmart parking lot during a gang feud. Source: New Mexican
NMPGV is working to make our state and country safer by strengthening laws that seek to prevent gun violence.
Join our mission, and invest in the future of New Mexico today.