In the early morning hours of July 31, 2021, the life of 23-year-old Nicodemus "Nico" Gonzales was tragically cut short in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Gonzales, a male known for his kind heart and selflessness, was attending a loud party on Chaparro Street when violence erupted. Police were dispatched to the scene around 3:30 a.m. following reports of shots fired.
Upon their arrival, they discovered Gonzales suffering from at least one gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting moved swiftly, and by that same evening, two teenage suspects were taken into custody. The individuals arrested were 19-year-old Isaiah James William Taylor and a 17-year-old male whose name was not publicly released due to his age. Both were charged with an open count of murder, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of shooting at a dwelling. Investigators believe that a fight broke out at the party, leading the two suspects to fire nearly a dozen rounds into a group of people. Police have stated that Gonzales was an innocent bystander and was not involved in the altercation that preceded the shooting.
In the aftermath of the tragic event, legal proceedings against the two suspects commenced. The 17-year-old was charged as an adult and pleaded not guilty. In a later development in April 2025, the New Mexico Supreme Court vacated the first-degree felony murder conviction of one of the individuals convicted in Gonzales' death, identified as Mawu Ekon Revels, who was 17 at the time of the incident. The court ruled that aggravated assault could not serve as the underlying felony for a felony murder charge in this case. The case was sent back to the district court for resentencing and further proceedings, with the possibility of a retrial on a lesser charge such as second-degree murder.
Nicodemus, a beloved father to his young son, was remembered for his positive attitude and the comfort he brought to those around him. His obituary described him as a man with a genuine and pure soul who was always willing to help others. He had a passion for music, both listening to and creating it, and enjoyed spending time with his son, playing basketball, and cooking creative meals.
