DA: Another teen arrested in southwest Albuquerque homeowner’s murder

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Authorities have arrested another suspect in the December 2023 fatal shooting of a homeowner in southwest Albuquerque.

A 16-year-old was arrested Wednesday evening in connection with the Dec. 16, 2023, shooting that left Adrian Vallejos dead, according to the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office. The prosecutor’s office did not detail the charges against the suspect, but said a detention hearing is scheduled for Friday for him.

The 16-year-old’s arrest comes five months after New Mexico State Police arrested Juanito Montoya, 18, for the alleged murder of Vallejos.

According to APD, the shooting happened near Gibson and Snow Vista boulevards. When officers arrived, they found Vallejos suffering from a gunshot wound. He later died in hospital.

Investigators say a group of teenagers were trying to break into Vallejos’ car. Vallejos realized what was happening and armed himself before going out with his girlfriend to confront them. As they did so, they shot Vallejos and left in a white sedan.

Police found a firearm near the scene. A review of ShotSpotter data, surveillance videos and photos, and social media conversations linked Montoya to the murder.

A New Mexico State Police officer arrested Montoya near Roswell in May. They discovered he had an active arrest warrant for murder and several other charges in Albuquerque.

Montoya faces charges of murder, conspiracy, robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence.