Rio Rancho man arrested for murder in Fruitland

FRUITLAND — A Rio Rancho man was charged June 24 for a murder authorities believe he committed two days earlier in Fruitland, New Mexico.

DeAndre Julian, 23, was arrested for second-degree murder and tampering with evidence on Road 6668 No. B after he allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend’s father.

When officers initially arrived, they found Adrian Begay with several gunshot wounds, a court filing stated. Despite attempts to save his life, Begay was pronounced dead, according to the warrant.

Julian and his girlfriend, who is the daughter of Begay, fled the scene and were later detained near a local grocery store, the filing stated.

Witnesses identified Julian as the perpetrator, and deputies also obtained video surveillance of the entire incident from the homeowner, according to the filing.

The warrant stated that while the suspects were sitting on the porch of the scene, a truck pulled up. Begay allegedly exited the truck and walked toward Julian and his girlfriend. The video shows Julian pull out a gun and shoot Begay, according to the filing. Officers were unable to distinguish exactly how many times the firearm was discharged.

When officers interviewed Julian’s girlfriend, she said she arrived in town with Julian to visit her family June 19. She told officers they went to Begay’s house to do yard work, but she and Julian left before an argument escalated, it states in the filing.

The girlfriend allegedly heard her father make statements about “opening fire” on Julian, the filing stated.

She said they were waiting for a ride when Begay approached them on the porch and she said she felt scared, according to the filing. She said after Julian shot Begay, he took the gun and asked his girlfriend to stow it away in her purse so authorities would not find it, the filing said.

Julian refused to speak with officers.

Julian could face 15 or more years in prison if he is convicted. He has not entered a plea. His next court appearance is July 2.