In the early morning hours of January 14, 2019, a tragic event unfolded at a 24-hour Circle K gas station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, resulting in the death of 24-year-old Hispanic male, James Ronquillo. Ronquillo, a lifelong resident of Albuquerque, had just been picked up from his job as a truck driver by his best friend, Jesus Lopez, who was 27 years old.
The two friends decided to stop at the Circle K on Menaul and University NE to buy cigarettes and visit Lopez's older brother, who was the assistant manager at the store.
Upon their arrival, they encountered a man who was loitering and causing trouble at the gas station. This individual was later identified as 32-year-old James Alex Chavez. Ronquillo and Lopez attempted to help the assistant manager escort Chavez off the property. In the midst of this effort, Chavez reportedly pulled out a handgun and opened fire on both Ronquillo and Lopez, killing them at the scene. The incident occurred shortly before 2 a.m.
Following the shooting, the Albuquerque Police Department launched a homicide investigation and identified James Alex Chavez as the primary suspect. He was subsequently charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Ronquillo and Lopez. At the time of the incident, Chavez was already wanted for failing to report to pretrial services on unrelated charges from the previous November, which included receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance. Law enforcement officials considered him to be armed and dangerous.
James Allen Ronquillo was survived by his mother, a son and daughter, and his siblings. His family held a visitation, Rosary, and Mass of Christian Burial in the days following his death, with a committal service at Mount Calvary Cemetery. His death was a profound loss to his family and friends, who remembered him as someone who was always funny and knew how to make people smile.
