A shooting in Rio Rancho Oct. 30 left a 15-year-old fatally injured, according to the teen’s family and the Rio Rancho Police Department.
RRPD released more information Nov. 7 about Adrian Maestas Jr., a student and football player at Rio Rancho High School, who died two days after being shot in the head.
RRPD said officers were dispatched to the area of Inca Road and 2nd St. SE at 4:18 p.m. Oct. 30. “in reference to gunshots being fired.” Officers arrived on scene, and located Maestas “suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.”
“The preliminary investigation has revealed, a group of individuals known to one another met to resolve an ongoing dispute. The interaction led to an exchange of gunfire. Adrian Maestas was struck, and transported to an area hospital where he later succumbed to the injury sustained,” RRPD said in the release.
Maestas’ sister Tristyn Garcia told the Signpost her brother was last seen with a person she did not know at 3:45 p.m. and was shot around 4:10 p.m. Garcia shared the first name and a photo of the person seen with her brother on social media last week. The Signpost declined to share that information because police have yet to confirm if the person is a suspect in the shooting.
“He’s just the last person. I don’t know if he was involved, or if he was the one who pulled the trigger,” Garcia said. “We have no idea. We just know that my brother was seen with him last and we haven’t been able to locate him.”
According to police, “all individuals, and vehicles associated with this incident have been identified, and are under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division. Currently, all evidence is being processed in order to criminally charge the person(s) responsible for Adrian’s untimely passing.”
RRPD asked that “everybody cease to post, or share accusations and photos of juveniles on online discussion boards.”
“False claims posted can be damaging and have long term effects on individuals’ future well-being,” police said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Adrian Maestas. We are profoundly saddened by this tragic event, and want the family, friends, and community to know our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
Has there been any updates or arrests? It’s very unsettling to think we have individuals out in the community who have been involved in such a horrific murder. Are all of them teens ? what about the parents ? This is such a tragedy and there should be justice for Adrian .