On a cold December evening in Albuquerque, the life of a young Hispanic man, Darin Gonzales, was tragically cut short. Just 21 years old, Gonzales was inside an apartment at 3417 Aztec Rd NE on December 15, 2021, when the sound of gunfire shattered the night. Albuquerque police officers were dispatched to the scene following a shooting call and discovered Gonzales on the floor of the apartment, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound.
Despite the swift arrival of first responders, his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
In the days that followed, Darin's family and friends were left grappling with the sudden and violent loss of a young man known for his sense of humor and warm, generous spirit. His passing left a profound void in the lives of his mother, brother, and fiancée, as well as his extended family and many friends who remembered him as a selfless and positive presence.
The Albuquerque Police Department opened a homicide investigation into Darin Gonzales's death, cataloging it under case number 210098923. However, the case has remained a somber and unsolved entry in the city's list of homicides for that year. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and a motive for the killing have not been released to the public. Authorities continue to appeal for any information that might lead to a breakthrough in the case, leaving a family and a community still searching for answers and for justice for Darin.
