Brandon Patterson, a 25-year-old White man, was fatally shot in Roswell, New Mexico, on the night of September 18, 2020. His sudden death left his family devastated, including his mother who publicly sought justice for her son.
The Roswell Police Department opened a homicide investigation into the shooting. The case developed quickly, and within days of Brandon's death, authorities made an arrest.
They took Joseph Vellojos, who was also 25 years old, into custody in connection with the killing.
Vellojos was subsequently charged for his role in the fatal shooting. The case moved through the legal system over the next two years, culminating in a trial in October 2022. After hearing evidence presented over two days, a jury convicted Joseph Vellojos on both counts he faced.
Following the guilty verdict, Vellojos was sentenced for his role in Brandon Patterson's death. With a conviction and sentence secured, the case is considered solved. The conclusion of the court proceedings in October 2022 is the last known development.
