On March 31, 2025, 32-year-old Kyle James Monongye, a male resident of Belen, New Mexico, was fatally shot in the 200 block of Jarales Road in the Rio Communities area of Belen. The incident was recorded as a homicide involving a firearm, resulting in his death.
As of now, there have been no publicly reported arrests or identified suspects in connection with the shooting of Kyle James Monongye.
Law enforcement agencies have not released further details regarding the circumstances of the incident or any ongoing investigations.
In a separate and unrelated event, on December 14, 2024, a tragic familicide occurred in Belen, New Mexico. A 16-year-old male, Diego Leyva, called 911 around 3:30 a.m., confessing to the fatal shootings of his parents and two younger brothers at their home on Camino Escondido. Upon arrival, deputies found Leyva intoxicated and took him into custody without incident. Inside the residence, authorities discovered the bodies of 42-year-old Leonardo Leyva, 35-year-old Adriana Bencomo, 17-year-old Adrian Leyva, and 14-year-old Alexander Leyva, all deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. A handgun was found on the kitchen table. Diego Leyva was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and is currently held at the Juvenile Justice Center in Albuquerque.
These two incidents, while both involving fatal shootings in Belen, are not connected. The investigation into the death of Kyle James Monongye remains open, with authorities seeking information to identify and apprehend those responsible.
