In the small community of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, the life of 58-year-old Thomas Ulibarri was tragically cut short on the afternoon of September 20, 2021. A lifelong resident of Santa Rosa, he was known as a man who enjoyed reading the Bible, spreading the word of God, and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. His peaceful existence was shattered by a violent altercation that erupted within his own home.
On that Monday, at approximately 2:30 p.m., a dispute occurred
at a residence on North 8th Street involving Ulibarri, his wife, and his 44-year-old stepson, Rex Saiz. The argument escalated dramatically when Saiz produced a firearm. He first fired at his mother, narrowly missing her. He then turned the weapon on his stepfather, Thomas Ulibarri, and fired again. Struck by the gunfire, Ulibarri was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
Following the shooting, Rex Saiz fled the residence, prompting an extensive manhunt by law enforcement, which included the New Mexico State Police Tactical Team and a helicopter. The search concluded around 10:00 p.m. that same night when Saiz was located at a Super 8 Motel in Santa Rosa. He was not alone; with him was his 50-year-old girlfriend, Gina Tower.
Saiz was taken into custody without incident and subsequently charged with an Open Count of Murder in the First Degree and Attempted Murder in the First Degree. Gina Tower was also arrested and faced a charge of Harboring or Aiding a Felon. Both were booked into the Guadalupe County Detention Center as the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau continued to delve into the circumstances that led to the fatal encounter.
