On a summer evening in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 14-year-old Martin Recio went to a pizza restaurant with two close friends on July 21, 2017. In the parking lot of the establishment, multiple shots were fired, striking all three teenagers. Martin was critically injured and rushed to the University of New Mexico hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries that night. His two friends were also wounded in the shooting but were reported to be in serious but stable condition.
Homicide detectives immediately began an investigation into the deadly shooting.
For over a year, the case remained without a publicly identified suspect, leaving the community and Martin's family searching for answers. The investigation eventually led authorities to identify a suspect, Derreck Flocco. It was determined that the shooting occurred during a drug deal that had gone wrong. Flocco, who was 29 years old at the time of the later reports, fled after the incident and managed to evade capture for a significant period.
After being on the run for more than a year, and believed to have fled to California, Derreck Flocco was apprehended by law enforcement. He was subsequently charged with the murder of Martin Recio, bringing a long-awaited development in the case. The arrest marked a pivotal moment in the investigation, offering the prospect of justice for the young victim and his family.
