Cruz Martín Gallegos, a 27-year-old lifelong resident of Las Vegas, New Mexico, was fatally shot on June 15, 2019. The incident occurred inside a home, and it is closely linked to the activities of local gang members.
The investigation into Gallegos' death led authorities to identify Marcos Ruiz as a key suspect. Ruiz is associated with the Westside Locos, a street gang that has close ties to the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico a violent prison gang.
According to witnesses and police reports, Marcos Ruiz had accused Gallegos of trying to set him up with the police, a claim that Gallegos denied, instead pointing to another individual, Gary Coca, as the person responsible for the alleged setup.
Marcos Ruiz was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Gallegos' death. This arrest was part of a broader investigation into the activities of SNM and its affiliated street gangs, which have been linked to several violent incidents in the area. Ruiz's involvement in the death of Gallegos was corroborated by witness statements, including one from a witness who reported that Ruiz had made the accusation against Gallegos before the shooting occurred.
The case against Ruiz is further complicated by his involvement in other violent incidents. For instance, shortly after Gallegos' death, Ruiz was implicated in the shooting of Gilbert Montoya, another member of the Westside Locos gang, and the death of Marcos 'Mark' Carrillo, who was also a member of the same gang. Montoya provided a detailed account of the events leading to Carrillo's death, including being driven to Ruiz's home by Rhonda A. Greenier, where he witnessed a confrontation between Ruiz and Carrillo that ended in Carrillo's fatal shooting.
Marcos Ruiz's arrest and subsequent charges were significant in the ongoing efforts to address gang-related violence in Las Vegas, New Mexico. His connection to both the Westside Locos and SNM underscores the complex and often deadly interactions between these gangs and their members. The investigation into Gallegos' death and the subsequent arrests highlight the extensive reach and violent nature of these gang affiliations.
In addition to Ruiz's arrest, the investigation also implicated other individuals, such as Gary Coca, who was suspected of being involved in the setup that led to Gallegos' death. However, Coca was not charged in connection with Gallegos' murder but was instead taken into federal custody on charges related to cocaine distribution and robbery.
The death of Cruz Gallegos and the subsequent investigations and arrests underscore the pervasive influence of gang activity in the region and the violent consequences that often follow. The case remains a significant example of the ongoing struggle to combat gang-related violence in New Mexico.
