Santa Fe man charged after accidental shooting kills sister

SANTA FE, N.M. —

Yasell Sandoval Sigala, 21, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after police say he accidentally shot and killed his sister, Alexia Verdugo Sigala, 24, during a family gathering in Santa Fe over the weekend.

Officers responded to a home near Atocha and Rufina Street on Saturday after receiving a report of a woman struck by gunfire in what appeared to be an accidental shooting.

“So our police officers that were on duty received a call that was reporting that a female was struck by gunfire and that the incident appeared to be accidental,” Santa Fe Interim Police Chief Ben Valdez said.

Police said Alexia was still conscious when officers arrived and was able to tell investigators what had happened. She was taken to a local hospital and later airlifted to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque, where she died.

“This was something that was 100% avoidable,” Valdez said.

Valdez explained that investigators believe Yasell Sandoval Sigala was handling a rifle when it discharged, striking Alexia in the torso.

“All in all, this was a very tragic situation,” Valdez said.

Alexia, known as Coach Ale, was a volleyball coach at Capital High School, where her death has deeply impacted the community.

Alexia had walked through Capital High’s halls first as a student, and then later as a coach.

Adriana Montoya, who has been with Capital High for nearly 10 years, first met Alexia when Montoya was starting her coaching career and Alexia was still a student.

“Right away, she comes up to me with the biggest smile on her face,” Montoya said. “And she goes, ‘Hi, I’m Ale. Are you one of our new coaches?’ And right away, like the relief flooded out of me. And that was the moment that, you know, she changed my life.”

Years later, Montoya invited Alexia to join her as a coach. Alexia became the junior varsity coach for the girls’ basketball team and the C-team coach for volleyball.

“It was so great to see her grow into her own as a coach,” Montoya said.

Montoya said the loss of Alexia still feels unreal.

“To this day, I still am waiting for a call or a text or, you know, I think about our conversations and having one last moment with her,” she said.

Montoya emphasized the importance of honoring Alexia’s legacy.

“We have to remember that what she gave us on the court, off the court, that’s who she was. And that’s how we make sure that her legacy lives on,” she said.

Santa Fe Public Schools released a statement saying:

“Alexia Verdugo was a beloved volleyball coach and a valued member of the Capital High School community. Our hearts are with her family, loved ones, and the many students whose lives she touched each day. We know this loss may be especially difficult for members of our school community. Counseling services are available on campus for any students who need additional support during this time.”