On September 7, 2020, a tragic and violent incident occurred in Albuquerque, New Mexico, resulting in the deaths of Nathan Garcia, 39, and Eric Carbajal, 36. The events unfolded in a series of alarming and deadly actions attributed to a single suspect.
Nathan Garcia and Eric Carbajal were found dead in an SUV that had been set on fire near Central Avenue and Atrisco Drive. The SUV belonged to Nathan Garcia.
According to the investigation, both men had been shot multiple times before the vehicle was ignited, indicating that they were already deceased when the fire was started. The medical examiner confirmed that the cause of death for both victims was the gunshot wounds, not the fire.
The suspect identified in this case is Dakota Don Briscoe, 34, who was known to have been staying at Nathan Garcia's home for several weeks prior to the incident. It was reported that Garcia and Carbajal had been involved in selling methamphetamine for Briscoe, and Briscoe had accused Garcia of stealing from him. This alleged theft appears to have been a motive for the violent acts that followed.
Briscoe's actions on the day of the incident were extensive and dangerous. After killing Garcia and Carbajal, he set the SUV on fire with their bodies inside. He then attempted to carjack two women at gunpoint but was unsuccessful. Following this, Briscoe broke into another woman's house, fired a gun, and stole her vehicle. These actions led to multiple reports of a home invasion, an attempted carjacking, and a vehicle on fire, prompting a significant response from the Albuquerque Police Department.
The investigation and subsequent arrest of Briscoe were facilitated by several factors. Family members, neighbors, and witnesses identified Briscoe as the perpetrator of the crimes. The FBI also offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to Briscoe's arrest and conviction, as he was considered armed and dangerous. Briscoe was eventually captured by New Mexico State Police at a checkpoint in Las Cruces, where he was using his brother's vehicle with expired tags and his brother's suspended license.
Upon his arrest, Briscoe was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on multiple charges, including two counts of murder, two counts of attempted armed robbery, six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary of a vehicle, aggravated burglary, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, shooting at or from a motor vehicle, and aggravated arson. The comprehensive investigation and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies led to Briscoe's apprehension and the filing of murder charges against him.
