Cuba man sentenced for fatal shooting during highway chase

CUBA — The United States Attorney’s office in district of New Mexico announced Sept. 5 that a Cuba man was sentenced to eight years in prison for shooting into a vehicle during a highway chase resulting in the killing a 14-year-old passenger.

Rodgerick Tsosie, 32, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, chased a vehicle carrying several occupants along New Mexico Highway 197 near Torreon on May 16, 2022, the release stated.

Tsosie pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Upon his release from prison, Tsosie will be subject to five years of supervised release.

“Tsosie had been called to break up a fight between the driver of the vehicle, John Doe 2, and other family members. As he pulled alongside the vehicle, Tsosie fired once towards John Doe 2 but inadvertently struck John Doe 1, his 14-year old nephew, in the head,” the release states.

The teen was pronounced dead at a Santa Fe hospital.

The release adds that the Navajo Nation Police Department, Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office and FBI responded to the scene where witnesses identified Tsosie’s vehicle, and multiple occupants immediately told authorities he was the shooter. Tsosie later admitted to firing a shot, stating, “I guess I’ll take the fall for it.”

There is no parole in the federal system.