On October 7, 2023, at approximately 10:02 PM, a tragic incident occurred at the Executive Inn located in the 200 block of North Marland in Hobbs, New Mexico. Maharshi Bhakta, a 35-year-old man, was found by police officers lying on the ground near the door of a motel room with several gunshot wounds. Despite being transported to Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital, Bhakta unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
The Hobbs Police Department launched an investigation into the shooting.
Surveillance video from the hotel revealed an altercation between Bhakta and several male suspects who were seen entering and leaving an adjacent room. The footage showed the suspects initially entering a parked vehicle outside the room, then exiting and engaging in a physical fight with Bhakta. After the fighting had stopped, muzzle flashes from a firearm were visible in the video, and the suspects fled the scene.
On Sunday, October 9, 2023, Hobbs Police arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with the shooting. The suspect was identified as Dominic Elijah Diaz, a student at Hobbs High School. Diaz was charged with first-degree murder, a capital felony in New Mexico that carries a life sentence with parole eligibility after 30 years if convicted.
According to witness statements, Diaz was identified as the shooter by other suspects and two female witnesses. One witness reported that Diaz had apologized for the shooting, claiming he was 'drunk' at the time of the incident.
This tragic event marks the second shooting death in Hobbs allegedly carried out by a teenager within a two-week period. The incident has sparked concern among local officials about the rise in violent crime among youth in the area.
