In the quiet city of Roswell, New Mexico, a burst of violence on March 29, 2024, cut short the life of 21-year-old Nicolas Elijah Montoya. The young Hispanic man was found with gunshot wounds and, despite medical efforts, succumbed to his injuries, leaving a community in shock and a family in mourning. The incident, which also resulted in damage to a nearby vehicle's windshield, hinted at the chaotic nature of the fatal encounter.
In the days that followed, the Roswell Police Department
launched an intensive investigation into the shooting. Their efforts quickly led to the identification and arrest of two suspects, both from Roswell. Anfernee D. Romero, 20, and De'Andre C. Gonzalez, 19, were taken into custody in the early hours of April 2, 2024. The arrests were the result of numerous interviews and the execution of multiple search warrants, which helped investigators piece together the events of that tragic Friday.
According to the investigation, the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute between Nicolas Montoya and the two suspects. On the day of the incident, Montoya was reportedly a passenger in a vehicle when he was shot. The investigation further revealed that after the initial shooting, Montoya was driven to a different location where he was shot again. Romero and Gonzalez were subsequently booked into the Chaves County Detention Center. Anfernee D. Romero faces charges of an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, shooting at or from a motor vehicle, and tampering with evidence. De'Andre C. Gonzalez is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence.
