HOBBS, N.M. — A shooting is under investigation in Hobbs after a 17-year-old boy was found dead, according to Aileen Vizcarra with the Lea County Sheriff's Office (LCSO).
On Oct. 19, a deputy observed a silver in color Kia "swerving into oncoming traffic" near East 62-180 and Navajo in Hobbs.
The deputy proceeded to conduct a traffic stop, where the officer was informed by the passenger that the driver of the vehicle had been shot.
The officer, after approaching the vehicle, found the driver who was later identified as 17-year-old Ja'Brian Lowe of Hobbs suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to Covenant Health Hospital where he later died.
According to Vizcarra, a 16-year-old minor who was present at the scene was detained. The 16-year-old stated to deputies that he had been involved in an earlier altercation before getting into the vehicle with Lowe.
Vizcarra stated that the pair were traveling on Navajo Drive when a red Ford Focus pulled in beside them. Then, shots were fired and Lowe was ultimately hit by a bullet.
According to Vizcarra, surveillance footage from the intersection of Dal Pasa and Navajo showed the two sedans pass through the intersection around 11:59 a.m. Investigators were able to read the license plate from the Focus and located it parked in the 1000 block of East Yeso in Hobbs.
Vizcarra said authorities would later conduct search warrants on the suspect and victims' vehicles and the house associated with the owner of the Focus where evidence was found.
Investigators were able to get video footage courtesy of the Hobbs Police Department, tracking the vehicles with dash cam footage.
Using this footage, authorities identified a 22-year-old Hobbs man, Adalberto Verdugo as a suspect.
According to Vizcarra, Verdugo would later admit to shooting at the vehicle driven by Lowe, claiming self-defense, as he had seen the barrel of a gun pointed at him as he was passing Lowe.
Vizcarra said the search of the victim's vehicle did not corroborate with his statement, as a gun was not found on either Lowe or in the vehicle.
Verdugo threw his gun out of the window and left the area immediately following the shooting, Vizcarra said in a news release.
Verdugo would go on to tell authorities where the gun was dumped, but no gun was found in the area.
On Friday, Oct. 25, an arrest warrant was served for Verdugo and he was arrested without incident.
Verdugo will face a multitude of charges including murder in the first degree, three counts of tampering with evidence, shooting at a dwelling or occupied building, shooting at or from a motor vehicle and finally assault with intent to commit a violent felony.
Verdugo is being held at Lea County Detention Center without bond until he receives a court date.
LCSO is continuing its investigation and encourages anyone with information related to this incident to contact them at 575-396-3611, investigator Travis Wilson 575-361-0472 or Lea County Crime Stoppers at 575-393-8005.
