In the small city of Clovis, New Mexico, the life of 15-year-old Anthony Raymond Gallegos Jr. was tragically cut short on the afternoon of Monday, December 29, 2025. Known affectionately as “Boogers” to his loved ones, Anthony was a young man who found joy in playing basketball and video games like Fortnite, listening to music, and spending cherished time with his friends and his nephew.
His unexpected death sent ripples of grief through his family and the wider community.
On that fateful day, at approximately 3:30 p.m., emergency services were dispatched after a 911 call reported a teenage male with a gunshot wound. First responders arrived to find Anthony with life-threatening injuries. He was rushed to Plains Regional Medical Center, but tragically, he did not survive. The Clovis Police Department's Major Crimes Unit immediately launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
The investigation revealed a heartbreaking scenario of teenage curiosity turned deadly. It is believed that a group of teenagers, including Anthony, were playing with a firearm. A witness reported that the teens were unaware that the gun was loaded. In a moment that would forever alter the course of several young lives, the firearm discharged, striking Anthony. In the immediate aftermath, the other teenagers reportedly fled the scene.
The focus of the police investigation quickly centered on a 16-year-old male who was identified as a suspect. An arrest warrant was issued for the juvenile, and on the evening of December 31, 2025, he was brought to the Clovis Police Department and taken into custody without incident. The unnamed suspect faces a series of serious charges, including involuntary manslaughter, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, tampering with evidence, and being a minor in possession of a handgun. Following his arrest, he was transported to a juvenile detention facility. The Clovis Police Department acknowledged the public's assistance in the investigation, noting that tips had been received through Crime Stoppers and their Tip411 service.
