A New Mexico man was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly shot his wife and her two young children, killing a 4-year-old boy.
The woman, an assistant district attorney with the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and her 1-year-old son were hospitalized in critical condition, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said it responded to the home in Tijeras shortly after 1 a.m. on Tuesday after a woman reported man armed with a handgun. As deputies headed to the scene, dispatch received more calls saying that shots had been fired. The deputies arrived within seven minutes of the initial call.
“Upon arrival, deputies encountered a male at the scene who was taken into custody following the deployment of a Taser,” the sheriff’s office said. “The suspect has been identified as 41-year-old Luis Sanchez.”
The 4-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene while the woman and her 1-year-old son were rushed to a hospital.
“This is one of the most horrific scenes our deputies and first responders will ever walk into,” said Sheriff John Allen. “Our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones. We are asking this community to keep the victims, their family, the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and every deputy, detective, 911 call taker, firefighter, and medical professional who responded and is still working this case in your prayers.”
The sheriff’s office said they’d had no prior calls for service at the home and that Sanchez had no prior criminal history.
According to ABQ Raw, a criminal complaint against Sanchez said he was heard in the background of the wife’s 911 call saying:
- “Why aren’t you dead?”
- “I’m gonna die.”
- “She is a lawyer and I killed this bitch.”
- “Are you calling police?”
- “How is the baby still alive” You should be dead!”
- “I’m in the Marine Corps, I’m fucking insane kill me.”
The wife told police before she was taken into surgery that Sanchez woke her up accusing her of cheating and not having sex with him.
The district attorney’s office released a statement saying the office “is trying to cope with the tragedy involving a member of our staff and her two children.”
“This heartbreaking situation has profoundly affected our entire office,” said the statement, attributed to District Attorney Sam Bregman. “While our team confronts difficult and emotional circumstances in the course of our daily work, we are, first and foremost, human. News of this magnitude impacts us not only as professionals but as colleagues, friends, and members of a caring community.
“Our colleague is a dedicated and respected member of our team. During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts are with her, her children, and all of their loved ones.”
Sanchez has been charged with intentional child abuse resulting in death, child abuse with great bodily harm, aggravated battery on a household member with great bodily harm, and tampering with evidence, the sheriff’s office said.
It’s not clear if Sanchez was the father or stepfather of the children he shot.
The New Mexico Department of Justice will handle prosecution of the case, KOB reported.
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[Featured image: Luis Sanchez/Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office]
