Who was Froylan Villegas? 11-year-old New Mexico boy dead as 3 suspects fire 17 shots at his truck
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO: Froylan Villegas, an 11-year-old boy from New Mexico, tragically lost his life in a tragic case of mistaken identity, according to the police.
Villegas was riding in a truck that was shot at after a baseball game, resulting in his untimely death.
The tragic event also critically injured Villegas's cousin, Tatiana, as reported by KOB.
How did Froylan Villegas die?
Police stated that three suspects fired a total of 17 shots at the victims' truck near Isotopes Park on September 6.
Chief of the Albuquerque Police Department, Harold Medina, shared a photo of Villegas on X and announced, "Our detectives arrested a suspect for the murder of 11-year-old Froylan Villegas."
"With help from the public, investigators determined this was a case of mistaken identity. These cowards thought they were tough. They killed an innocent child."
Our detectives arrested a suspect for the murder of 11-year-old Froylan Villegas. With help from the public, investigators determined this was a case of mistaken identity. These cowards thought they were tough. They killed an innocent child. pic.twitter.com/d5d8eo1bC1
— APD Chief of Police (@ABQPoliceChief) September 22, 2023
Suspects arrested
Nathen Garley, 21, and Jose Romero, 22, and Daniel Gomez, 26, have been charged with murder in relation to the shooting, as stated by the police, per KRQE.
Police Chief Medina revealed the details during a news conference, mentioning that Romero was apprehended outside an Albuquerque convenience store, while Garley was already in custody for a separate case.
Garley had been arrested the previous week when State Police discovered approximately 100,000 fentanyl pills in his vehicle during a traffic stop as he was returning from Arizona, informed State Police Chief Troy Weisler to reporters.
Detectives arrested a third suspect today for the murder of 11-year-old Froylan Villegas. We know more people have details about this case. Call 505-242-COPS or Crime Stoppers at 505-843-STOP. Let's make sure they stay in jail and are held accountable for this tragedy. pic.twitter.com/znJWACbsb8
— APD Chief of Police (@ABQPoliceChief) September 22, 2023
During a press conference, Medina siad, "The individuals who were arrested were involved in a dispute with others at Isotopes stadium."
"It is our belief that these cowards mixed up the two vehicles and shot into the wrong vehicle taking the life of a young man," he added.
According to Medina, Garley was already in custody when he faced charges in connection to Villegas' case. "Very likely would've killed somebody else if he would have been allowed to do so," he added.
At the time of Romero's arrest, he was already wanted for "failing to appear in court in connection with alleged drug dealing."
New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issues gun ban
Following the incident, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham took action by signing an executive order on September 7, declaring gun violence a public health emergency.
On September 8, she announced a "30-day ban on the open & concealed carrying of guns in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County," in response to the tragic event.
Grishan announced in a press release that she would be "removing the previous provision around firearms and replacing it with a provision that temporarily suspends the carrying of firearms at parks and playgrounds in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County."