Michael "Mikey" Rowe was a 15-year-old boy whose family described him as a beacon of hope and love. The White/Caucasian male was remembered by his older sister as the sweetest, kindest soul she had ever met, a young man who was peaceful, brave, and strong. Just shy of his 16th birthday, Michael loved fishing, playing video games, being outside, and spending time with his friends and family.
His family said his future was bright, though his life was cut short before he could decide what he wanted to become.
On the evening of Saturday, December 7, 2024, Michael was at a laundromat on San Mateo Boulevard SE in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with two friends. An argument broke out between the teens and a woman, later identified as 39-year-old Jamel Coriz, over the use of a washing machine. According to a criminal complaint and surveillance video, the verbal dispute soon escalated into a physical fight that lasted for more than five minutes, with punches and kicks being thrown by both sides.
After the altercation, Coriz left the laundromat, only to return about six minutes later with her boyfriend, 39-year-old Oscar Orozco. By this time, Michael’s friends had left and he was alone. Video footage showed Orozco confronting the teenager inside the business before chasing him out into the parking lot. As Michael tried to flee for his life, Orozco pursued him around vehicles and fatally shot him in the back. Witnesses reported hearing Coriz shout at Michael for starting the fight before she and Orozco got into a car and drove away. Michael was rushed to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Law enforcement quickly identified the couple from the laundromat's security footage. Oscar Orozco was apprehended during a traffic stop the following day, December 8, 2024. Jamel Coriz was arrested later that same evening at a residence on Alvarado Drive SE. Both were charged with murder and conspiracy in connection with Michael's death. Court records revealed that Orozco had a prior history of charges, including battery against a household member.
Following the arrests, a judge ordered both Orozco and Coriz to remain in custody until their trials, citing the clear video evidence of the crime. The case later concluded when Oscar Orozco pleaded guilty to killing Michael Rowe. Michael’s devastated family held a vigil on what would have been his birthday, mourning the promising future that was senselessly stolen from him and hoping his story would inspire change in the community.
