On September 1, 2020, in Roswell, New Mexico, 38-year-old Cristal Lee Aguilar was fatally shot in the backyard of a residence located in the 500 block of South Kansas Avenue. Responding to reports of gunfire around 8 p.m., officers discovered Aguilar deceased at the scene, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Alongside her was 33-year-old Mark Montoya, who was critically injured with similar wounds and transported to a local hospital.
Despite medical efforts, Montoya succumbed to his injuries two days later.
The investigation led Roswell police to identify 29-year-old Ignacio Juan Gamez as a person of interest. Initially sought for questioning, Gamez was also wanted on an unrelated arrest warrant for probation violations. Authorities believed that a financial dispute between Gamez and one of the victims escalated into a fatal confrontation. Subsequently, Gamez was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Aguilar and Montoya.
Aguilar's unexpected passing was deeply mourned by her family and the Roswell community. A viewing was held at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home on September 14, 2020, allowing loved ones to pay their respects and commemorate her life. The tragic incident underscored the devastating impact of violence within the community and highlighted the importance of addressing underlying issues that can lead to such confrontations.
