Incident report provides details of Maestas murder

UPDATE: Teen victim dies from gunshot to head; investigation continues; RRPS issues statement

RIO RANCHO (Oct. 31, 2024)-- Rio Rancho Police Department released information tied to an Oct. 30 shooting.

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RIO RANCHO — An incident report released Thursday, Nov. 7, confirms that the shooting death of 15-year-old Adrian Maestas is being investigated as first-degree murder.

Officers responding to gunshots in the area of Inca Road and Second Street around 4 p.m. Oct. 30 found Maestas suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He died at a hospital around midnight Nov. 1.

“The preliminary investigation has revealed a group of individuals known to one another met to resolve an ongoing dispute. The interaction led to an exchange of gunfire. Adrian Maestas was struck and transported to an area hospital, where he later succumbed to the injury sustained,” a Nov. 7 update on the case states.

The update further states all individuals and vehicles associated with this incident have been identified and are under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division. Currently, all evidence is being processed in order to criminally charge those responsible for Maestas’ death.

The incident report also details witness testimony. A caller at the scene with Maestas said they saw him lying in the road on Second Street and a car driving away from the scene of the crime. They said two additional people stopped and attempted to render aid to the teenager.

According to a responding officer, a group of four juveniles near the scene was spotted nearby, and one of them told police that before they arrived, they heard seven or eight shots, a pop and two sets of rapid-firing guns. They also saw a car with tinted windows speeding so fast that when it hit a bump, the car “flew up.” They also said they saw two people run toward the car and jump in, adding that they thought at least three people were involved.

Many other witnesses heard what happened. However, the only witness that actually saw what happened is an 11-year-old who told police they were playing outside and saw someone wearing a black sweater and black backpack walking toward where Maestas was on the ground. Fifteen minutes later, they heard gunshots. The witness told police, “It was a lot, over 10.” They ran inside to get other juveniles. When they came back outside, they saw four “kids” running east but couldn’t see their faces, saying they could have been wearing ski masks.

All the witnesses identified they same car.

Police also took casts of shoe prints at the scene.

A conviction of first-degree murder could result in a life sentence. The names and ages of the juvenile suspects were redacted from the reports.

“The Rio Rancho Police Department would like to thank all concerned citizens who have reached out to us with information they believe would assist in this case. We ask that everybody cease to post or share accusations and photos of juveniles on online discussion boards. False claims posted can be damaging and have long-term effects on individuals’ future well-being,” RRPD said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Adrian Maestas. We are profoundly saddened by this tragic event, and want the family, friends and community to know our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”