On March 16, 2022, a fatal shooting occurred on Silver Heights Boulevard near Bennett Street in Silver City, New Mexico, resulting in the death of 18-year-old Bayard resident Jerimiah 'Choppy' Mohr. The incident involved two vehicles traveling eastbound: a gold Dodge Intrepid and a brown Chevy F10 pickup. An exchange of gunfire erupted between the occupants of these vehicles.
Mohr, a passenger in the Dodge Intrepid, sustained critical injuries and succumbed to them while being airlifted to a regional trauma center. Two other individuals in the Intrepid suffered non-life-threatening shrapnel injuries.
In the immediate aftermath, Joseph Trujillo, a 31-year-old resident of Bayard, was apprehended. Trujillo reportedly entered a nearby hair salon after the shooting, leaving behind a. 40 caliber KAHR ARMS handgun, and awaited law enforcement's arrival. Authorities also recovered an M&P. 22 caliber rifle at the scene. Trujillo was subsequently charged with an open count of murder and four counts of shooting at or from a motor vehicle. He was detained at the Grant County Detention Center.
Investigations revealed that tensions between Trujillo and the Mohr family had been escalating prior to the incident. On February 14, 2022, Trujillo's mother, Peggy Humble, reported to then-Bayard Police Chief Cornel Stemley that her son's life had been threatened by members of the Mohr family. Stemley attempted to follow up on this report but was placed on administrative leave the same day, hindering further investigation. This lack of follow-up may have contributed to the tragic events that unfolded in March.
Jerimiah 'Choppy' Mohr was remembered as a compassionate individual who dedicated his life to those he loved. He was actively involved in music, often collaborating with his twin brother and cousins, and had a passion for working with children. His untimely death left a void in the community, with many mourning the loss of his vibrant presence.
