Details revealed in Tap N Taco shooting

Lorenzo Lozoya, about 40, of Rio Rancho, was arrested for the Aug. 12 Tap N Taco shooting.

According to a criminal complaint filed by Rio Rancho Police, at approximately 12:20 a.m. officers responded to the restaurant because irate individuals were refusing to leave.

While officers were en route, the caller reported gunshots were fired.

The caller said the shooter was wearing a camo shirt with blue jeans and was seen leaving in a white Cadillac SUV, giving officers the license plate number. The caller added that multiple shots were fired while the vehicle was leaving the parking lot. No vehicle matching the description was found in the parking lot when officers arrived about 10 minutes after the initial call.

Callers told officers they heard shots, believing the were directed at the building and that the suspect was shooting while driving away.

Five brass casings were found in the parking lot with one damaging the asphalt near the outdoor dining area. Four of the casings were located on the south side of the parking lot.

The victim, speaking through a translator, told officers he had a gun pointed at him and he was shot at, but the bullet missed him.

A witness saw the suspect reach into the Cadillac and pull out what they thought was firearm. The witness heard him say he was going to shoot everyone there and heard a gunshot.

Video footage of the incident matches the witness’ statement. It shows a verbal argument, then the suspect reaching into the white Cadillac Escalade to retrieve a handgun, as the witness said. The suspect then walks toward the victim, firing the gun toward the asphalt at the feet of the victim, and then pushes the victim. A female grabs the male and pushes him back toward the Cadillac, where they quickly left in the vehicle northbound on NM 528.

Lozoya’s car was later found at a residence on Del Carmen Drive, which was the address registered to the vehicle. Lozoya, still wearing the same clothes seen in the video footage, was located by officers at the intersection of Iris and Monterey, where he was walking with his wife. He was detained and taken to Rio Rancho Police Department, where he requested a lawyer.

If convicted, Lozoya could face three years for shooting at a building and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.