In what has been described as a tragic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, 21-year-old Roberto Carlos Pineda Arriaza was killed after being struck by a stray bullet during a road rage incident in southwest Albuquerque on April 18, 2026. Pineda Arriaza had recently purchased a motorcycle and was showing it to a friend when the incident occurred.
He was not involved in the altercation and became an innocent victim when gunfire was exchanged between two vehicles near Bridge Boulevard and Sunset Road. After being shot in the head, Pineda Arriaza was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries three days later on April 21, 2026.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office quickly launched an investigation into the shooting. Through witness statements and other evidence, detectives identified one of the vehicles involved as a Mitsubishi registered to Ellyssa Salazar. Further investigation led them to identify Rory Horowitz as the primary suspect and alleged shooter. With the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service and law enforcement in Texas, both Horowitz and Salazar were located at a residence in El Paso, Texas, and taken into custody. The Mitsubishi, however, has not yet been located and authorities are still searching for it.
Following his arrest, detectives sought to amend the warrant for Rory Horowitz to include an open count of murder. He was also facing initial charges of shooting at or from a motor vehicle causing great bodily harm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. Ellyssa Salazar was arrested on charges of tampering with evidence and harboring a fugitive. The driver of the second vehicle involved in the exchange was arrested separately by the Albuquerque Police Department on charges of aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer and reckless driving. Investigators have stated that there is no evidence to suggest this individual fired any shots during the incident and they have not been charged in connection with the death of Pineda Arriaza. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
