A 41-year-old New Mexico man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he shot his wife and her two young children, killing a 4-year-old boy and leaving the mother and her 1-year-old son in critical condition.
Luis Sanchez was taken into custody early Tuesday morning following what the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office described as an active domestic violence call. He has been charged with several offenses, including intentional child abuse resulting in death and aggravated battery of a household member resulting in great bodily harm.
Deputies responded around 1:18 a.m. to a home in the 700 block of NM 333 after a woman called 911 to report that her husband was armed with a handgun. While deputies were en route, they were informed that shots had been fired inside the residence.
Authorities arrived within seven minutes of the initial call. Sanchez was described as uncooperative and was arrested “following the deployment of a Taser.” According to ABQ Raw, citing the criminal complaint, Sanchez allegedly exited the home naked and shouted, “I killed her. She’s a lawyer and I killed this b—.”
Inside the home, deputies found a 4-year-old boy who was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman, identified as an assistant district attorney with the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and her 1-year-old son were transported to a hospital. Both were reported to be in critical condition. Sheriff John Allen described the aftermath as deeply disturbing.
“I would say this is probably the most difficult 911 call that I ever heard in my career,” Allen said during a Tuesday news conference. “It’s pretty difficult to listen to and hear people, people suffering and people in the process of dying. But I will tell you this, this doesn’t come out a lot.”
Allen also called the scene “one of the most horrific scenes our deputies and first responders will ever walk into.” During the 911 call, Sanchez can reportedly be heard shouting at his wife, “Why aren’t you dead?” and “How is the baby still alive?” “You should be dead!” He also allegedly yelled, “I’m in the Marine Corps, I’m f—ing insane. Kill me.”
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that Sanchez was also recorded saying, “What are you going to do? I just killed the baby,” and “They’re dead; you have to kill me. I am a murderer.” Despite her injuries, the woman reportedly told investigators that she had been asleep when Sanchez woke her, accusing her of infidelity and complaining about their sex life before opening fire.
Sheriff Allen said Sanchez has no prior criminal record, and deputies had no previous history of domestic violence calls to the residence.
The district attorney’s office released the following statement:
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office, with deep sadness, is trying to cope with the tragedy involving a member of our staff and her two children. This heartbreaking situation has profoundly affected our entire office. While our team confronts difficult and emotional circumstances in the course of our daily work, we are, first and foremost, human. News of this magnitude impacts us not only as professionals but as colleagues, friends, and members of a caring community. Our colleague is a dedicated and respected member of our team. During this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts are with her, her children, and all of their loved ones.
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