Joseph "Taz" Borja, a 29-year-old Hispanic / Latino man, was experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the summer of 2021. His life came to a violent end on June 12 of that year in an attack at a park on the city's east side.
On that Saturday morning, police responded to a call around 11:15 a.m. from a man who had found a body at Bicycle Park, located at the corner of Central and Tramway. Officers arrived to find Joseph Borja deceased, having been shot in the head.
He was described as pale and cold to the touch. An investigation into his death began immediately.
Detectives learned from people in the area that a man known in the homeless community as "Q" was believed to be responsible. One witness told police they saw a woman tell "Q" that Borja owed her money and would not pay. Another witness, who expressed extreme fear for their safety, provided a harrowing account of the attack. They reported seeing "Q" walk up to Borja while he was sleeping and hit him multiple times with a beer bottle. The witness stated that the assailant then dragged Borja onto the concrete, kicked him, and shot him in the head with a Derringer pistol.
Investigators identified "Q" as 27-year-old Quentin Salazar. Police realized an officer had already spoken with Salazar during the initial response to the scene and had noted at the time that he appeared to be hiding something in his waistband. On June 24, authorities located Salazar, found him in possession of a 38 special handgun, and arrested him on outstanding felony warrants. When questioned about Borja’s death, Salazar claimed he had found the gun in a dumpster and denied any involvement before requesting an attorney.
Following further investigation, Quentin Salazar was arrested in August and charged with an open count of murder in the death of Joseph Borja. As of August 2021, the case was proceeding through the legal system.
