On January 18, 2021, at approximately 2:18 AM, Santa Fe Police Department officers responded to a report of a shooting on Rancho Siringo Road. Upon arrival, they encountered 33-year-old Edwin Anaya near the scene and subsequently discovered the body of 40-year-old Pete Andrew Gurule at the doorway of a residence, deceased from a gunshot wound. Anaya was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Gurule was a well-known figure in Santa Fe, celebrated for his two-decade tenure as a DJ on KSFR's 'Friday Nite Mixx Fixx.' He was a seventh-generation New Mexican, deeply passionate about his heritage, and a devoted father to his two young sons, Quentin and Silas. His sudden death shocked and saddened the local community.
During the trial, Anaya testified that he had spent the evening with Gurule, during which they consumed alcohol and marijuana. Anaya claimed that after falling asleep, he awoke to an alleged sexual assault by Gurule, which led to a physical altercation. Fearing for his life, Anaya stated he retrieved a handgun and fatally shot Gurule in self-defense.
In March 2023, after deliberation, the jury acquitted Anaya of second-degree murder charges but was unable to reach a unanimous decision on the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, resulting in a mistrial for that count. The prosecution indicated plans to seek a retrial on the manslaughter charge.
The case remains a poignant topic within the Santa Fe community, reflecting the complexities of the legal proceedings and the enduring impact of Gurule's death on his family, friends, and listeners.
