New Mexico State Police are investigating a carjacking and shooting in Guadalupe County. Riel Gonzales, 22, allegedly stole a work truck after an argument with his 18-year-old ex-girlfriend, chased her roughly 40 miles to Anton Chico, and opened fire on NM 119 near her mother’s vehicle.
The mother’s boyfriend arrived, exchanged gunfire with Gonzales, and subdued him until officers arrived. Both Gonzales and the ex-girlfriend suffered gunshot wounds to their arms and were hospitalized. Gonzales faces charges including car theft and aggravated assault; no charges have been reported against the mother’s boyfriend.
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ANTON CHICO, NM — A 22-year-old man allegedly stole a work truck from a gas station off Interstate 40, chased his 18-year-old ex-girlfriend roughly 40 miles across Guadalupe County, and opened fire on the highway Saturday before her mother’s boyfriend fired back and subdued him, according to New Mexico State Police.
State police announced they are investigating the shooting and carjacking in a post on X. The sequence that follows, including the suspect’s identity, the times, the vehicles, and the charges, was detailed by state police and reported by KOAT.
It started around 11:10 a.m. at the Phillips 66 Milagro station off I-40, about 35 miles west of Santa Rosa. Riel Gonzales, 22, got into a heated argument with his ex-girlfriend. She left him there and drove off in a black BMW.
Gonzales then allegedly took a red work truck from a driver who was pumping gas and went after her toward Anton Chico, about 40 miles north.
He eventually found the BMW at the residence where she had left it and drove off in it. Her mother came to pick her up. As the two women left, they found Gonzales waiting on NM 119 near Anton Chico. Shots were fired. The vehicles collided.
The mother’s boyfriend responded to the location and saw the crash. Gonzales fired on him. He fired back. He subdued Gonzales and held him there until officers arrived and took him into custody.
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Both Gonzales and his ex-girlfriend suffered gunshot wounds to their arms and were taken to an area hospital. Police have not said who fired the round that struck her, and neither report says whose round hit Gonzales.
Gonzales was booked into the Colfax County Detention Center on a probation hold and charged with car theft, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and criminal damage of property. The probation hold means he was already under court supervision when he allegedly stole the truck. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless convicted. No charging decision involving the mother’s boyfriend appears in either report.
