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Manuel Ortega

Case from Albuquerque, NM dated Dec 31, 2024

Victim Details

Manuel Ortega

Male

Hispanic / Latino

Albuquerque

NM

2024-12-31

15

Manuel

Ortega

06/26/2026

Case Description

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On the evening of New Year's Eve, a planned meeting in a quiet southwest Albuquerque neighborhood ended in the tragic death of 15-year-old Manuel Ortega. The Hispanic male had arranged to purchase a gun from another teenager, communicating through a social media app to set up the exchange at Anderson Mesa Park. He was accompanied by his 14-year-old brother as they approached the designated vehicle, a gold Chevy Impala, around 6:15 PM.

What was supposed to be a transaction quickly devolved ...
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Links to Additional Sources (10)

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  • Albuquerque Journal: Boys charged in 15-year-old's killing during gun deal-turned-robbery on West Side
  • ABQ RAW: APD Arrests Two Teen Suspects for New Year’s Eve Murder that Killed a 15-year-old During Gun Purchase Gone Wrong - ABQ RAW
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    Forum Posts (2)

    I'm just now catching up on the tragic case of Manuel Ortega, and it's been weighing heavily on my m... ...Read More
    04/07/2025
    I find it incredibly disturbing that these tragic events took place over a firearm purchase involvin... ...Read More
    02/12/2025
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