In a quiet Monterey Park neighborhood in Los Lunas, New Mexico, a day of friendly visiting turned into a scene of unimaginable tragedy. On the afternoon of March 6, 2021, 11-year-old Joseph Ray Hobbs, a White / Caucasian male, was with his mother and sibling at a friend's home. The boy, known for his love of science, rocks, and a dream of becoming a "rockologist," was in the front yard when violence shattered the peace of the day.
Earlier that day, a confrontation had reportedly occurred
at the residence. Later, three individuals returned to the home and opened fire. During the shooting, Joseph was struck in the neck. Despite the immediate response of deputies from the Valencia County Sheriff's Office to multiple 911 calls about a disturbance around 3 p.m., Joseph died at the scene. Investigators quickly determined that the young boy was not the intended target of the gunfire.
The senseless death of a child sent shockwaves through the community. The Valencia County Sheriff's Office, with assistance from the New Mexico State Police, launched a homicide investigation. Their efforts led to the swift identification and arrest of three suspects. Alexandria Tabora, 41, was taken into custody on March 7, 2021, and faced a charge of felony murder. The following day, her 21-year-old son, Santos Mateo Garcia, and 24-year-old Erik Carillo-Garcia were also apprehended in the Las Maravillas subdivision of Los Lunas without incident. Several firearms were recovered at the time of their arrest.
In the wake of his death, Joseph was remembered as a loving brother and an amazing son, full of life and curiosity. He had a passion for collecting gems, crystals, and rocks, and was fascinated by volcanoes, bugs, and his pets. A candlelight vigil was held in his honor, where those who knew him mourned the loss of a boy described as a "little ray of sunshine." Students at Dennis Chavez Elementary School, where Joseph was a fifth-grader, created a rock garden to commemorate his life.
