In the early hours of July 5, 2015, in Artesia, New Mexico, a gathering took a tragic turn, ending the life of 28-year-old Hispanic male, Andres Rojo. The incident unfolded on the 1400 block of Yucca, where a confrontation led to bloodshed, forever altering the lives of two families.
The Artesia Police Department's investigation into the shooting quickly pointed to a suspect: 20-year-old Daniel Aguilera.
Detectives believed Aguilera was responsible for the death of Rojo and the wounding of his brother, Luis. A warrant was issued for Aguilera's arrest on charges of one count of murder and one count of attempt to commit a felony. Authorities publicly appealed for information leading to his capture, cautioning that he should not be approached.
The legal proceedings that followed revealed that the fatal encounter stemmed from Aguilera being upset about not being invited to a party. In January 2018, a jury convicted Daniel Aguilera of second-degree murder for the killing of Andres Rojo. He was also found guilty of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon for the injuries inflicted upon Luis Rojo. The defense's claim of self-defense was ultimately rejected by the jury after two hours of deliberation.
