Suspects in deadly shooting arrested, charged with murder

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Suspects in deadly shooting arrested, charged with murder

Surveillance video showed Xavier Torres, 22, and John Gonzales, 19, at the scene of the crime.

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Updated: 9:58 PM MDT Apr 8, 2026

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The fatal shooting of a 20-year-old Gabriel Montano outside a residence west of Old Town Tuesday night led to the arrest of Xavier Torres, 22, and John Gonzales, 19, an Albuquerque Police Department news release said. APD officers went to 3216 Don Gabal Lp. Northwest just before 8 p.m. Tuesday, where they found a dead man, later identified as Montano. They were surprised to also find Torres and Gonzales with their hands in the air. After they were in custody, Torres and Gonzales told police they shot Montano in self-defense, but police found their account inconsistent with them asking Montano to come to their home. Because they suspected Montano would be armed, they were ready with their own guns when he arrived. Early in the investigation, officers got surveillance video that showed Torres, Gonzales, and Montano together. Suddenly, one of the men stepped back and fired 10 to 15 shots at Montano, who fell to the ground as more shots were fired at his fatally wounded body, the release said.In a search of the house where the shooting happened, detectives found a backpack filled with additional gun magazines and handguns. A shortened 12-gauge shotgun was in Torres’ vehicle, and a Glock handgun was in the children’s bedroom, the release said.Torres and Gonzales were each charged with an open count of murder and will soon be booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center.

The fatal shooting of a 20-year-old Gabriel Montano outside a residence west of Old Town Tuesday night led to the arrest of Xavier Torres, 22, and John Gonzales, 19, an Albuquerque Police Department news release said.

APD officers went to 3216 Don Gabal Lp. Northwest just before 8 p.m. Tuesday, where they found a dead man, later identified as Montano. They were surprised to also find Torres and Gonzales with their hands in the air.

After they were in custody, Torres and Gonzales told police they shot Montano in self-defense, but police found their account inconsistent with them asking Montano to come to their home. Because they suspected Montano would be armed, they were ready with their own guns when he arrived.

Early in the investigation, officers got surveillance video that showed Torres, Gonzales, and Montano together. Suddenly, one of the men stepped back and fired 10 to 15 shots at Montano, who fell to the ground as more shots were fired at his fatally wounded body, the release said.

In a search of the house where the shooting happened, detectives found a backpack filled with additional gun magazines and handguns. A shortened 12-gauge shotgun was in Torres’ vehicle, and a Glock handgun was in the children’s bedroom, the release said.

Torres and Gonzales were each charged with an open count of murder and will soon be booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center.



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