On June 26, 2022, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a tragic incident unfolded involving the death of Raymond Barreras Jr. and his wife, Melissa Barreras. The events began early Sunday morning when Raymond Barreras Jr. was shot and killed near a Circle K gas station located at the intersection of 98th and Central.
Initially, the Albuquerque Police Department arrested Raymond David Barreras III, the son of Raymond Barreras Jr., in connection with his father's death.
The arrest was made after surveillance video and eyewitness accounts suggested that the son might have been involved in the shooting. According to the criminal complaint, the father had left his west side home around 7:30 a.m. and shortly thereafter, surveillance video showed him confronting his son, who was sleeping in a vehicle near the gas station. The father allegedly fired multiple shots at the son's car before the son drove away. The son later returned to the area, and shortly after, the father was seen dropping to the ground with a gunshot wound to the head.
However, subsequent investigations and newly obtained evidence led to a significant shift in the case. Additional surveillance video and preliminary autopsy results suggested that Raymond Barreras Jr.'s death was actually a suicide rather than a homicide. This new evidence prompted the District Attorney's office to drop the murder charge against Raymond David Barreras III, and he was released from jail on Tuesday following his initial arrest on Sunday.
The case is further complicated by the concurrent investigation into the death of Melissa Barreras, the wife of Raymond Barreras Jr. and the mother of Raymond David Barreras III. Police found her with a gunshot wound to the head inside her home during a welfare check initiated by the son, who had called police expressing concern about her well-being. Despite the father being the only person seen leaving the home that morning, APD has not identified any suspects in her death. The investigation into Melissa Barreras's death remains ongoing, with no clear indication of who might be responsible.
Raymond David Barreras III, the son, has a history of drug addiction and has been involved in previous incidents that have caused concerns for the family. Family friends have expressed their worries about his release from jail, citing his past behavior and the problems it has caused for the family.
As of the current date, Raymond David Barreras III is no longer a suspect in his father's death due to the evidence suggesting it was a suicide. However, the investigation into his mother's death continues, and the District Attorney's office has indicated that new charges could be filed against Barreras III if additional evidence comes to light.
