San Miguel County Gun Violence | New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence

On October 20, 2022 near Rowe, New Mexico, Aurelio Carrasco (33) was arrested after committing a string of crimes starting around 10:45 that morning. Police were notified that Carrasco had exposed himself to and threatened a couple at a gas station with a handgunstating, he “would kill the couple and would kill anyone and would kill any cop.” Carrasco was then spotted on highway 50 driving into traffic and crashing into two other vehicles. He then took off on foot into the forest. Just before 2 p.m. he was seen trying to hotwire a dirt bike, and at 4 p.m., he flirted with a woman at the Glorieta campground before stealing her minivan. The suspect then took off on I-25, crashing into two state police vehicles and striking a truck head on. Carrasco was finally apprehended in a mountainous area a mile southwest of the crash site. https://bit.ly/3DlVYM3
On July 22, 2022 near Vaughn, New Mexico, a vehicular pursuit on US 285 resulted in police firing at the suspect, who exited the vehicle after turning onto US 85. Only the vehicle was struck by the gunfire. An investigation has been launched to confirm whether the shooting was justified. https://bit.ly/3rZVGnN
On December 31, 2021 in Ribera, New Mexico, Joaquin Sanchez (18) shot and killed Joshua Vigil (17) at a party in his home. Sanchez claimed he had drunk three beers and two shots. He thought his mother’s hunting rifle which she kept by bed was not loaded. https://bit.ly/31NdN6W
On December 13, 2021 in Pecos, New Mexico, an argument over a haircut led to a shooting which left two people dead. David Sturgeon (63) called the police while hiding from Mark Valencia (40) in a Pecos home. According to Sturgeon, Valencia became violent because Steven Singer (48) “only cut half his hair.” He shot and killed Singer and his girlfriend Eva Arragon (48) with a semi-automatic handgun before pursuing Sturgeon who was able to avoid gunshots from a bathroom closet. https://bit.ly/3IMtlaY
On September 28, 2021 in San Miguel County in New Mexico, two men were involved in a shootout off Frontage Road 2116. Leroy Padilla (52) was arrested on multiple counts including battery and assault with a deadly weapon after driving to his uncle’s house and initiating what started as a verbal altercation. Padilla then began firing a gun at his uncle, who returned the fire with a revolver. Another family member reportedly trapped Padilla’s vehicle which he hit several times before driving off. https://bit.ly/3y3BZ0v
On August 22, 2021 in the village of Tecolotito, New Mexico, a local man and his son-in-law were threatened and held at gunpoint by Robert Siaz. Victims Anthony Flores and Benny Lucero were driving near NM 385 as Siaz pursued them both by vehicle and on foot. Siaz was confronted by Lucero, who responded by threatening to kill and leave both men where he encountered them. An arrest warrant was filed against Siaz, who has previously been convicted for manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon, and shooting a man in the arm. https://bit.ly/3BXyIjV
On July 17, 2021 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, police shot and killed Jeffrey Scott (30) after being called to a home at 1300 Kern St. Scott started firing at the officers. Police fired back and Scott ran back into the home. He was found dead inside the residence. https://bit.ly/2YF0fc3
On July 7, 2021 in Pecos, New Mexico, Issac Valencia (39) was arrested for attempting to rob the Dollar Store in the Pecos and for resisting arrest. https://bit.ly/3mG0BXX
On July 1, 2021 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, police responded to a call from a father saying his son was trying to burn down his home because he refused to give him a firearm. https://bit.ly/3asFGC7
On June 25, 2021 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, police charged Nathan Pacheco with first degree murder in the shooting death of Joseph Maez on May 15. The two were smoking methamphetamine when Pacheco became violence and pulled out a gun and shot Maez. https://bit.ly/3gly5sl
On May 26, 2021 in San Miguel County, New Mexico State Police identified the woman found shot to death on a pullout along San Miguel County Rd. b52 as Amber Ann Deck (33). It is not believed that she was killed at the site. https://bit.ly/3dzi54G
On November 9, 2020 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, 23-year-old Alejandro Alirez was arrested by San Miguel County Sherriff’s deputies after a standoff. Alirez is accused of shooting and killing his 33-year-old girlfriend, Christie Cervantes, and her 79-year-old grandfather Victor Cervantes. He livestreamed the shootings on social media. He told the officers that he had bought the gun a week before specifically to kill his nieces and nephews. https://bit.ly/2IGOUk0
On October 20, 2020, the New Mexico State Police were investigating an officer involved shooting after San Miguel County deputies opened fire on a Las Vegas man who had allegedly barricaded himself inside a home. https://bit.ly/3fI6xvQ
On September 9, 2020, Joseph Martinez, 42, is accused of shooting Colin Gonzales in an alley in Las Vegas, NM. In 2007, Martinez was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, court records show. He also received a one-year sentencing enhancement for being a habitual offender. In 2005, he was convicted for attempted robbery. https://bit.ly/3jdHUHB
On July 7, 2020, at the entrance to Storrie Lake State Park, Adeline Torres, 16, was shot and killed and a 15-year-old -boy suffered injuries. The man who shot them was a felon in possession of a firearm. https://bit.ly/341llBp
On October 17, 2019, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Jennifer Doane, age 50, shot and killed her boyfriend, Nickolas Wells, age 42. She then called and reported it to the police. She told police they had “some domestic violence incidents” and she had shot him after he punched her. SOURCE: SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN
On October 27, 2018, in Rociada, New Mexico, Roman Lucero, 46 years old, was shot and killed by William Daniels, 60 years old. Lucero was pronounced dead at the scene. Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
On October 13, 2017, in Pecos, New Mexico, Tranquilino Louis Valencio, 33 years-old, was arrested. Police suspect Valencia of robbing a man with a handgun at an ATM near a Family Dollar Store along with Mariano Francisco Araica, age 26, and Terry Silva, age 17. Shortly after the robbery, one of the men and the woman stole a Honda Civic at gunpoint. Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
On June 26, 2017, in Pecos, New Mexico, the New Mexico state police shot and killed Rip Huntington, age 36. A 911 call came into state police regarding an armed man near a market in Pecos. A short time later officers on the scene heard gunshots and pursued the suspect’s car. They found it parked on the I-25 frontage road. As officers approached, a barrage of gunshots were fired at them. State police crisis negotiation and tactical teams were called in. Huntington refused to surrender and was killed by a member of the tactical team. Source: Albuquerque Journal
On August 10, 2015, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Las Vegas Police found Marvin Maestes in his car with a rifle. Maestes was wanted in connection with a July 22nd drive-by shooting. Maestes fled after striking the police car. Source: Santa Fe New Mexican
On May 8, 2014, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, New Mexico State Police went to the home of Alfredo Lujan, who was reportedly suicidal. Lujan had a rifle and kept entering and exiting the house. The officers tried several attempts to get him to put the rifle down. When Lujan pointed the rifle at the officers, they shot and killed him. Source: Albuquerque Journal
On January 24, 2015, in San Miguel County, New Mexico, Zebadia Romero robbed the Pecos River Station Convenience Store. The store owner pulled out his gun and shot Romero in his left arm. Source: New Mexico Department Of Safety
On July 7, 2014, in Pecos, New Mexico, 29-year-old Luis Miguel Enrique was found shot to death with a gunshot wound to his chest. Source: News West

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