On August 4, 2020, Fabian Lopez, a 24-year-old resident of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was fatally shot in what investigators determined was a drug transaction gone wrong. The incident occurred in the 900 block of Branson Avenue near Frenger Park. Lopez was found unresponsive and suffering from a gunshot wound after his vehicle crashed into the yard of a home.
Despite being rushed to Memorial Medical Center, Lopez died shortly after arrival.
The investigation revealed that Lopez and his girlfriend, along with their infant child, were in the vehicle when they met with several individuals for the purchase of illegal narcotics, specifically Xanax pills. Matthew Martinez, one of the suspects, appeared at the scene and entered Lopez's vehicle. Martinez demanded the narcotics and pointed a handgun at Lopez. Two other men, who were outside the vehicle, also held guns. When Lopez's girlfriend mentioned that there was a baby in the car, Martinez fired his weapon, striking Lopez in the torso. The suspects then fled the scene, and Lopez, in an attempt to drive away, crashed his vehicle into a nearby fence.
The Las Cruces police charged three teenagers in connection with Lopez's murder: two 16-year-old boys and a 13-year-old boy. Due to their ages, their identities were not initially disclosed. However, as one of the suspects turned 18, his identity was made public. Adrian Chacon, who was 16 at the time of the crime, was identified and charged with first-degree murder, child abuse, and two counts of armed robbery when he was transferred from juvenile custody to the Dona Ana County Jail's adult population.
In addition to the murder charges, two 17-year-old girls and another 16-year-old boy were charged with harboring and aiding a felon after the fact for their role in helping one of the boys charged with murder to flee Las Cruces in an attempt to avoid apprehension.
Matthew Martinez, who was identified as the shooter, was later sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, attempted armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and abuse of a child. The evidence gathered from the scene, social media, and witness statements were crucial in identifying Martinez as the perpetrator.
The case highlighted the involvement of young individuals in gun violence and the severe consequences they face. The sentencing of Martinez was seen as a reflection of the need for strong sanctions and accountability for such actions, with officials noting the growing concern of a 'gun culture' among young men.
