In the early morning hours of Halloween 2021, a night that should have been filled with youthful fun and costumes, turned into a scene of tragedy for 18-year-old Alejandro Xavier Villarreal-Mathes. The young man, known to his family as "Jano" and friends as "Alex," was at a house party in the South Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, when gunfire erupted, cutting his promising life short.
Another young man, 22-year-old John Michael Casados, was also killed in the shooting, and four other individuals were wounded.
Alejandro was remembered as a charismatic and loving person who was never stingy with hugs and always had a smile on his face. He had a dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Having recently graduated from River Ridge High School in Lacey, Washington, he had previously attended high schools in Albuquerque. The energetic and outgoing teenager loved music, playing basketball, and gaming with his friends.
The festive atmosphere of the Halloween party took a dark turn when a group of uninvited individuals, described as wearing hoodies and masks, arrived. Witnesses reported that a fight broke out shortly after their arrival. The altercation escalated quickly to gunfire. One partygoer recalled hearing someone from the group of intruders say, "Hey let's stop the party let's shoot this up," just before the shooting began. Investigators believe the suspects may have learned about the party through social media.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office responded to the chaotic scene at the home on Pajarito Road SW. Inside, they found a devastating scene with multiple victims. As of late 2021, authorities were still actively searching for the suspects involved in the double homicide. The investigation into the deaths of Alejandro Xavier Villarreal-Mathes and John Michael Casados remains ongoing, and no arrests have been publicly announced in connection with the shooting. The community was left grappling with the senseless violence that claimed the lives of two young men and injured several others on a night meant for celebration.
