On the evening of May 29, 2026, the life of 43-year-old Daniel Dale Flores was tragically cut short in the parking lot of the 16th and Pile Church of Christ in Clovis, New Mexico. Responding to a report of a man lying in the parking lot, Clovis police officers discovered Flores unconscious with a fatal gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Born in Dallas, Texas, on December 4, 1982, Daniel was known by his loved ones as a hardworking man who enjoyed tinkering with things and playing catch with his nephews. A devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys, he was remembered for his friendly nature and willingness to help others.
The investigation into Daniel Flores's death quickly gained momentum thanks to surveillance footage from the area, which captured the entire horrific incident. The video showed a man, later identified as Andrew Robels, riding a bicycle and accompanied by another individual. In the footage, Robels is seen calling out to Flores, who was also on a bicycle, threatening to shoot him if he continued to follow. Robels then pursued Flores, cut him off, and, without dismounting his bike, drew a handgun and fired a single shot into Flores's abdomen. After the shooting, Robels fled the scene, leaving Flores to die in the church parking lot.
Investigators were able to identify the man who was with Robels from the surveillance video. This individual led them to Robels, who was subsequently detained. During questioning at the Clovis Police Department, Robels waived his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with detectives. When presented with a still image from the surveillance footage showing him riding away after the shooting, he confirmed it was him. He reportedly told investigators, "I thought the guy was following me, so I did what I had to do." Although he was evasive about the location of the weapon, he did admit to using a handgun that matched the casing found at the crime scene. It was also discovered that Robels is a convicted felon and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm. As a result, Andrew Robels was charged with first-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and tampering with evidence. He was booked into the Curry County Jail to await a pre-trial detention hearing. This case, which began with a senseless act of violence in a quiet church parking lot, moved into the judicial system, with the evidence pointing towards an unprovoked attack. The swift identification and arrest of a suspect brought some measure of progress for a grieving family and community, as they awaited the legal proceedings to unfold.
