In a tragic series of events that unfolded on October 18, 2023, a 19-year-old Hispanic male named Santiago Roybal lost his life in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The incident began when a mother, Raeanna Ruiz, believed Roybal was in her backyard. Her 16-year-old daughter had also reportedly suspected for months that a man had been stalking her and looking into her window.
Fueled by these beliefs, Ruiz, along with her 16-year-old daughter, Dylana Barela, and 15-year-old son, Christopher Barela,
began to search for Roybal. Surveillance footage captured the three in a white SUV pursuing Roybal. The chase led to an apartment complex on Tulane Drive NE, where Roybal sought refuge in a friend's apartment shortly before 11 a.m. As Roybal's friend let him in and closed the door, a series of shots were fired. Roybal was struck in the chest and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. His friend was also shot in the abdomen but survived. Audio from the surveillance video recorded a female voice yelling, "Shoot through the door," followed by the sound of four gunshots.
Following the shooting, a male and female were seen fleeing the scene. Investigations into the homicide led Albuquerque police to arrest Raeanna Ruiz and her two children on November 14, 2023. During her arrest, Dylana Barela confessed to firing the shots that killed Roybal. Ruiz and her children were charged with an open count of murder, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy. Subsequently, Raeanna Ruiz pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, conspiracy, and aggravated battery and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Her two teenage children, Dylana and Christopher Barela, were also taken into custody and faced murder charges.
