A 16-year-old male from New Mexico faces murder charges after allegedly making a 911 call while intoxicated, claiming he had killed his family.
The event reportedly occurred around 3:30 AM on Saturday, December 14. During the call, the teenager informed the dispatcher that he had murdered his parents and two siblings.
Law enforcement responded to the scene in Belen, south of Albuquerque, where they encountered the teen exiting the home with his hands raised.
Upon entering the residence, officers discovered the lifeless bodies of two teenagers and two adults, identified as the teen’s parents, brother, and sister.
Each family member had succumbed to gunshot wounds, with a handgun discovered on the kitchen table.
The New Mexico State Police issued a press release stating the teen was ‘extremely intoxicated’ upon contact with the officers and was detained ‘without incident’.
While the motive remains undetermined, the police mentioned that the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau and Crime Scene Team continue to investigate and will conduct interviews to uncover the circumstances leading to the tragic events.
After being arrested, the teenager was taken to a local hospital to detoxify from alcohol before being transferred to the Juvenile Justice Center in Albuquerque.
He faces four counts of first-degree murder.
Following the incident, the Belen Consolidated Schools district issued a statement to reassure students that counseling services and mental health support are available.
Superintendent Lawrence Sanchez expressed in the statement: “We are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic event involving the killing of his family by a BHS student this past Saturday. Our hearts go out to the victims, their loved ones, and everyone impacted by this devastating loss.”
“This heartbreaking incident reminds us of the importance of vigilance in addressing the challenges our youth face, promoting mental health awareness, and ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for everyone,” he continued.
“We are committed to working closely with law enforcement, school officials, and community leaders to understand how such a tragedy could occur and to take steps to do our part in preventing anything like this from happening again,” Sanchez added. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure our children and families feel safe, supported, and valued.”
The New Mexico State Police have indicated that the case will be forwarded to the district attorney’s office for prosecution following the completion of the investigation.