An argument that began at a baby shower on a Saturday in May escalated into a fatal shooting in the early hours of Sunday, May 28, 2023, claiming the life of 18-year-old Hispanic female Areli Rodriguez in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The incident, which occurred shortly after midnight at an apartment complex on Louisiana Boulevard SE, led to the arrest of her 24-year-old boyfriend, Carlos Gonzalez.
The conflict between Rodriguez and Gonzalez reportedly started at a relative's party and
continued when Rodriguez's sister, Genesis, and her boyfriend drove her home. As the argument intensified inside the residence, Genesis waited outside. At one point, Gonzalez opened the door, and both he and Genesis brandished handguns. Genesis dropped her weapon as Gonzalez pushed both women out of the apartment.
The situation further deteriorated as the two sisters and Genesis's boyfriend banged on the door, demanding Gonzalez return the dropped handgun. When Gonzalez opened the door again, he was pointing his gun at the three individuals. A struggle over the firearm ensued, during which Gonzalez fired a single shot. The bullet struck both Areli Rodriguez and her sister's boyfriend. Areli Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second victim was transported to a local hospital with non-fatal injuries.
Albuquerque Police Department homicide detectives arrested Carlos Gonzalez, who initially claimed the shooting was accidental. However, investigators determined that he had exited the apartment with the gun in a firing position, prompting the struggle. Gonzalez was charged with second-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. In connection with the killing of his girlfriend, Gonzalez later pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. A judge sentenced him to an additional seven months in prison, giving him credit for the year and a half he had already been incarcerated.
