On June 17, 2021, Daniel Bustos, a 34-year-old resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, lost his life in a violent confrontation at a Travelodge hotel located just south of the intersection of Coors and I-40 in northwest Albuquerque. The incident involved Xavier Marquez, a 22-year-old individual who allegedly confronted Bustos in the hotel parking lot.
The confrontation escalated to a point where Marquez fired a total of 14 gunshots in the direction of Bustos, ultimately shooting him once in
the leg. Despite immediate medical attention, Bustos was taken to Lovelace Hospital downtown and later transferred to the University of New Mexico Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries en route.
Xavier Marquez, the suspect in this case, has been charged with several serious offenses, including murder, tampering with evidence, and shooting at an occupied building. This incident was not Marquez's first involvement in a violent crime; in February 2023, he pleaded guilty to a separate incident that occurred in September 2021, where he shot and killed a dog and its owner in a southeast Albuquerque neighborhood.
Marquez's arrest and subsequent charges were the result of an investigation conducted by the Albuquerque Police Department's Homicide Unit. The unit's efforts led to the identification and apprehension of Marquez, who now faces significant legal consequences for his actions.
In addition to the charges related to Bustos's death, Marquez's history of violence highlights a pattern of behavior that has resulted in severe consequences for those around him. His case is one of several recent homicide cases in Albuquerque where the police have made significant progress in identifying and charging suspects, reflecting the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to address and resolve violent crimes in the community.
