Alfonso Aguilar was a 61-year-old Hispanic/Latino man from Albuquerque, New Mexico, described by those who knew him as a very outgoing and loving person who enjoyed being outdoors and fishing. His life was cut short during a violent carjacking on the Fourth of July in 2023.
Shortly before 5 p.m. that day, Aguilar was sitting in his truck in the parking lot of the Luxury Inn on Central Avenue S.E. when a man approached and asked him for cigarettes.
After Aguilar said no, the man pulled out a gun and ordered him to get out of the vehicle. Aguilar complied, and the man got into the driver's seat while two other people, a man and a woman, also entered the truck. As the group attempted to drive away, Aguilar grabbed onto the driver's door and was shot once in the chest.
First responders transported Aguilar to a local hospital, where he was able to speak briefly with detectives about the attack. Despite medical treatment, Alfonso Aguilar died from his gunshot wound four days later, on July 8, 2023. The Albuquerque Police Department’s Homicide Unit took over the investigation, which had been started by the Gun Violence Reduction Unit. On July 7, officers located Aguilar's stolen truck outside a home in the North Valley.
On October 18, 2023, the U.S. Marshal Service arrested the first suspect, 21-year-old Juan De La Rosa. During an interview with homicide detectives, De La Rosa admitted to his role in the shooting. He was charged with murder, armed robbery, conspiracy, and other offenses. The investigation led to two more suspects, who were arrested on December 3, 2023. Lacey Cormier, 40, and Joseph Griego, 28, were initially detained for shoplifting when police discovered they each had outstanding warrants for their involvement in Aguilar's murder. They were subsequently charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy.
All three individuals were convicted for their roles in the crime. Juan De La Rosa pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy, and tampering with evidence, and was sentenced to 24 years in prison. Joseph Griego was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Lacey Cormier received a sentence of three years in prison. The case is considered closed.
