On the evening of Saturday, December 20, 2025, a violent domestic confrontation in the quiet rural community of Tecolote, located south of Las Vegas, New Mexico, resulted in the death of Albert Salazar. Authorities were dispatched to a residence off County Road B47A around 8:20 p.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, first responders found Salazar, a male, suffering from gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate attempts to administer life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation identified the primary suspect as 55-year-old Michael Shawn Nicholls, who is the victim's brother-in-law. Witnesses reported that Nicholls had been drinking prior to the incident and confronted Salazar inside the home regarding allegations of past sexual assault against a family member. The situation escalated rapidly when Nicholls allegedly pointed a firearm at a female relative, striking her with the weapon before turning the gun on Salazar. As Salazar attempted to walk away from the argument, Nicholls reportedly fired two shots at him.
Following the shooting, Nicholls fled the scene and became the subject of an urgent manhunt by the New Mexico State Police. Law enforcement officials obtained an arrest warrant charging him with an open count of first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, and interference with communications. As of late December 2025, Nicholls remained at large and was considered armed and dangerous, with police cautioning the public against approaching him and urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact authorities.
