On March 31, 2022, in El Prado, New Mexico, 55-year-old Cleofas Dominguez-Armendariz was fatally shot following a dispute with 38-year-old Manuel G. Gamez-Lozoya. The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. on Straight Arrow Road, where both men resided.
Investigations revealed that Dominguez-Armendariz drove to Gamez-Lozoya's residence, leading to an altercation during which Gamez-Lozoya shot Dominguez-Armendariz multiple times.
As Dominguez-Armendariz lay wounded, Gamez-Lozoya allegedly fired an additional close-range shot to his head.
After the shooting, Gamez-Lozoya fled the scene but later surrendered to authorities in Santa Fe. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, three counts of tampering with evidence, and two counts of conspiracy. He was subsequently booked into the Santa Fe County Detention Center.
Reports indicate that Dominguez-Armendariz arrived at Gamez-Lozoya's home armed with a pistol and fired once before being fatally shot by Gamez-Lozoya. The shooting occurred in front of Dominguez-Armendariz's family.
The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau continues to investigate the case to determine the exact circumstances leading up to the fatal encounter.
