In the spring of 2022, a violent encounter in an Albuquerque, New Mexico, parking lot left two men dead, including 32-year-old Dominic Sanchez. The incident, which took place on the evening of April 12, unfolded in the parking lot of a DK convenience store located at 13601 Copper Ave. N.E. Sanchez, along with 42-year-old Kenneth Sweetwater, was shot following a dispute.
While Sweetwater succumbed to his injuries at the scene, Sanchez fought for his life for three more days before passing away on April 15, 2022.
The Albuquerque Police Department quickly launched a homicide investigation into the double slaying. Through surveillance footage and statements from witnesses, detectives identified 48-year-old Marcos Vigil as the suspected shooter. The investigation revealed that the shooting stemmed from an argument that had occurred in the parking lot between the victims and Vigil, who was accompanied by another individual. Police arrested Vigil and charged him with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Sanchez and Sweetwater.
The case against Marcos Vigil proceeded to a jury trial in December of 2023. During the trial, Vigil’s defense attorney argued that his client had acted in self-defense. The defense maintained that Vigil was protecting himself and his son from Sanchez and Sweetwater. The prosecution, however, presented a different narrative, asserting that the shooting was not a justifiable act of self-defense. A key point of contention during the trial was the claim that both Sanchez and Sweetwater were shot in the back as they were trying to get away. After hearing the evidence and arguments from both sides, the jury ultimately acquitted Marcos Vigil of the shooting deaths of Dominic Sanchez and Kenneth Sweetwater.
