On July 2, 2022, Augustine Moreno, a 16-year-old resident of Alamogordo, New Mexico, was found dead at a residence located on the 2000 block of Dewey Lane. The Alamogordo Police Department responded to the residence around 6 am for a welfare check and discovered Moreno deceased. The police quickly determined that Moreno's death was a result of a homicide, prompting a comprehensive investigation.
The investigation into Moreno's death was taken over by the 12th Judicial District Attorney's
Office Major Crimes Unit, which is a task force comprising investigators from the Alamogordo Police Department, the Ruidoso Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department, the Otero County Sheriff's Department, and the 12th Judicial District Attorney's Office. As part of the investigation, the Alamogordo Police released a photo from a surveillance video showing three people of interest. However, no detailed descriptions of these individuals were provided by the investigators at the time.
In the ongoing effort to solve the case, the police sought the public's help in identifying any potential suspects. On December 16, 2022, a significant development occurred when Dominique Thomas, a 23-year-old man, was arrested for his alleged role in the shooting death of Augustine Moreno. Thomas was charged with accessory to commit murder, tampering with evidence, and accessory to commit assault with intent to commit a violent felony. The investigation revealed that Thomas acted in conjunction with others in the shooting death of Moreno, and additional arrest warrants were pending as the investigation continued.
The arrest of Dominique Thomas marked a crucial step in the investigation, but it also indicated that there were other individuals involved in the crime. The police continued to seek information from the public, encouraging anyone with knowledge about the case to contact the Alamogordo Police Department Detective Division. If convicted, Thomas faces up to life in prison, highlighting the severity of the charges and the ongoing efforts to bring all those responsible to justice.
As of the current date, the case remains under active investigation, with the authorities working to identify and apprehend all individuals involved in the homicide. The involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies and the ongoing pursuit of additional suspects underscore the complexity and seriousness of the case. The community's assistance remains crucial in helping the police gather more information and bring closure to the family of Augustine Moreno.
