New Mexico man convicted of killing homeless person behind gas station when he was 17 years old

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (TCD) — A jury recently found a man guilty of fatally shooting a homeless individual behind a gas station in 2021 during a fight about narcotics.

Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman announced Thursday, Dec. 21, that a jury convicted Santiago Silva of the first-degree murder of 23-year-old Matthew Chavez. The jury also found Silva guilty of armed robbery with firearm enhancement and tampering with evidence.

According to an initial press release from the Albuquerque Police Department, in the overnight hours of July 29, 2021, Silva, who was 17 years old at the time, was seen on surveillance video walking in an alley behind the Quick Track gas station at 1720 Central Ave. S.E. Silva reportedly spoke with Chavez before pulling out a gun and shooting one round toward the victim, killing him.

According to police, Silva ran through an empty parking lot following the incident.

The next month, police were investigating a serial robbery case when three men allegedly robbed a smoke shop. Detectives reportedly arrested the men, including Silva. Police said they “discovered bullet casings at that scene that linked the robbery investigation to the homicide of Chavez.”

According to police, on Tuesday, Jan. 17, nearly two years after the shooting, a juvenile probation officer told officers Silva asked to speak with detectives. During an interview, Silva said Chavez asked him for narcotics, and they got into a physical fight.

Silva reportedly said he “fought Chavez over a handgun, and when he got custody of it, he shot the gun one time,” and it hit Chavez. Silva admitted he was on drugs at the time, so he was paranoid and decided not to call police.

Bregman said Silva faces life in prison, and his sentencing will be set at a later date.

“This is another tragedy involving a juvenile with a gun,” Bregman said, adding, “This violence has to stop.”

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