ANTON CHICO, NM — New Mexico State Police say a domestic dispute turned into a violent series of events Saturday that ended with a carjacking, a pursuit, a crash and gunfire in Guadalupe County. The man accused in the case, 22-year-old Riel Gonzales, was arrested after officers responded to the scene near Anton Chico.
Authorities say Gonzales and his 18-year-old ex-girlfriend were both shot in the arms during the confrontation. Both were taken to an area hospital for treatment after officers secured the scene. State police also said Gonzales was booked into the Colfax County Detention Center on a probation hold and faces several charges tied to the theft and shooting.
Argument at gas station off Interstate 40 started the incident
Investigators say the chain of events began around 11:10 a.m. Saturday at the Phillips 66 Milagro gas station off Interstate 40, about 35 miles west of Santa Rosa. State police say they were notified of the incident around noon, roughly an hour after the dispute first broke out.
According to police, Gonzales got into a heated argument with his ex-girlfriend at the station. She then left in a black BMW, apparently leaving him behind at the isolated location. What began as a personal dispute quickly escalated into a public safety emergency that drew in multiple people and crossed a wide stretch of eastern New Mexico roads.
Police say Gonzales stole a work truck and chased the BMW north
State police say Gonzales then stole a red work truck from a driver who was pumping gas. After taking the truck, he allegedly used it to pursue his ex-girlfriend as she drove north toward Anton Chico, a route that covered about 40 miles from the gas station.
Authorities did not say how long the pursuit lasted, but they described it as moving across dozens of miles in Guadalupe County. The chase involved the stolen truck, the BMW and later the residence where the woman had stopped. Police have not said whether anyone else was hurt during that part of the incident, but they said several relatives were involved as the situation unfolded.
Confrontation near Anton Chico ended with shots fired and a crash
Police say Gonzales eventually recovered the BMW and drove away from the residence where his ex-girlfriend had left it. Her mother later came to pick her up, but the pair found Gonzales waiting on New Mexico 119 near Anton Chico. That encounter is where the situation turned into a shooting.
Authorities say shots were fired and a vehicle collision followed. The mother’s boyfriend then arrived, saw the crash and fired back after Gonzales allegedly shot at him. Police said he was able to subdue Gonzales before officers reached the scene. The sequence left Gonzales and the young woman wounded and brought a chaotic domestic conflict to an abrupt end.
Both wounded victims were taken to a hospital for treatment
New Mexico State Police said Gonzales and his ex-girlfriend each suffered gunshot wounds to their arms. Both were transferred to an area hospital after officers took control of the scene. Police did not immediately release additional details about the extent of their injuries or their conditions after arriving at the hospital.
The shooting unfolded after a confrontation that involved the woman’s mother and her boyfriend, making the case more complicated than a single altercation between two people. State police said relatives were part of the response once the woman’s family returned to help her leave the area. The agency has not said whether any other injuries were reported.
Gonzales faces theft and assault charges after being booked in Colfax County
After officers arrived, Gonzales was arrested and booked into the Colfax County Detention Center. State police said he is being held on a probation hold, which means the arrest could affect an earlier case or sentence in addition to the new charges.
The charges listed by investigators include offenses related to the vehicle theft, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal damage to property. Police have not released further information about court dates or whether additional charges could be filed. For now, the case centers on a domestic argument that expanded into a dangerous run across county roads and ended with two people in the hospital.