On November 1, 2023, Nicolas Candelaria, a 23-year-old resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was fatally shot in the 500 block of Atlantic Avenue SW. The incident occurred during the early morning hours when Albuquerque Police Department officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert and a call from the victim's roommate. Upon arrival, they found Candelaria deceased inside the front door of a residence.
The investigation revealed that Candelaria's death was the result of a drug deal gone
wrong. Two suspects, Lanise Padilla, 23, and Richard Anderson, 24, were identified as the individuals involved in the incident. According to APD, Padilla and Anderson had gone to Candelaria's residence under the pretense of purchasing one gram of cocaine. However, their true intention was to rob Candelaria of the drugs.
The situation escalated when Anderson allegedly shot Candelaria three times as the victim appeared to be reaching for a gun. After the shooting, Anderson reportedly took the drugs and fled the scene. Both suspects were subsequently charged with an open count of murder, tampering with evidence, conspiracy, and robbery.
Arrests in the case were made on November 25, 2023. Lanise Padilla was apprehended during a routine traffic stop when she was found driving without a license plate. Her vehicle, believed to be connected to the homicide, was sealed and impounded. Later that same day, Richard Anderson was located and taken into custody at a residence in the 1000 block of Marapi Street NW.
It's worth noting that this was not Lanise Padilla's first encounter with law enforcement. In 2016, at the age of 16, she was involved in another high-profile case related to the murder of Hector Aguirre, a 47-year-old contractor and church deacon. Padilla, along with four other individuals known as the 'Get Hard Crew,' faced charges in connection with Aguirre's death, which occurred when he was run over by his own work truck during a theft attempt.
As of December 5, 2023, Richard Anderson was ordered to remain in custody until his trial. The Second Judicial District Attorney's Office has also filed a motion for pretrial detention for Lanise Padilla, citing concerns for community safety.
