New Mexico State Police investigates homicide in Bayard
The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau is investigating a homicide in Grant County.
On Friday, Nov. 1, the Grant County Sheriff's Office received a report of shots fired on US-180 near mile 119. Deputies spoke with the 54-year-old victim of the shooting. According to NMSP, the victim said she was driving when her boyfriend, Anthony Aveles, 61, shot her. The victim was treated in a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Aveles fled the scene in a separate vehicle he was driving. Deputies notified surrounding agencies and a search for Aveles began.
While searching for Aveles, the Bayard Police Department received a report of shots fired at 500 N. East Street in Bayard, N.M. At the scene, officers found 46-year-old David Ruiz deceased inside the residence.
After the second shooting, law enforcement received a call from a woman who stated her estranged husband, Aveles, had killed her son-in-law, Ruiz. In that phone call, the woman also provided authorities with Aveles' whereabouts.
Bayard Police officers responded to 705 Rogers Street in Bayard, N.M. And found Aveles armed with a handgun.
Aveles surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody without incident. Officers recovered the handgun Aveles' possessed.
Aveles was booked into the Grant County Detention Center and is being charged with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, and shooting at a motor vehicle.
NMSP Investigations Bureau agents interviewed Aveles, and he said Ruiz was engaging in a romantic relationship with his girlfriend, the victim of the first shooting. After a phone call between Aveles and Ruiz, Aveles drove to Ruiz's home and shot him.
This incident remains under active investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau. Once complete, the investigation will be turned over to the District Attorney's Office.
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