Michael Gallegos was an 18-year-old male from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, described in his obituary as an amazing man who was loved by many. Born and raised in the state, he attended Rio Rancho High School for two years before earning his high school diploma through online schooling.
On the night of April 2, 2025, Michael arranged via Snapchat to meet someone to sell nicotine vapes.
He drove his Dodge Charger to the Barelas Community Center parking lot in Albuquerque, arriving around 10:52 p.m. Surveillance video showed a man approach the driver's side of Michael's car on foot. A single gunshot was then heard, and the Charger accelerated rapidly before crashing into a curb on the north side of the lot. When officers arrived, they found Michael inside his still-running car with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Homicide detectives began an investigation, using phone data, social media messages, and automated license plate readers to piece together the events of that night. They identified a silver BMW sedan that had arrived at the community center at 10:44 p.m. and left minutes later. Investigators traced the vehicle to 18-year-old Robert Rodriguez and determined he had arranged the meeting with Michael.
On April 23, 2025, detectives with the Albuquerque Police Department arrested Robert Rodriguez. He was charged with an open count of murder, shooting at or from a motor vehicle resulting in great bodily harm, and two counts of tampering with evidence. The investigation continued, eventually leading to the arrests of three co-defendants: Nathaniel Gutierrez, 19, Jeffery Jojola, 22, and Jordan Sedillo. Police evidence indicated that the group had spent weeks planning to rob Michael at gunpoint during the prearranged sale.
The four young men were prosecuted for their roles in the crime. Jordan Sedillo’s murder and robbery charges were ultimately reduced to a single count of conspiracy to commit robbery. Nathaniel Gutierrez pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Jeffery Jojola also entered a guilty plea and received a 15-year prison sentence. As of July 2026, Robert Rodriguez was awaiting his sentencing hearing.
