Crazed Man Arrested After Shooting Victim Near Park Over Trash Beef

Albuquerque –

On Sunday, December 14, 2025, around 5:00 PM, an officer from the Albuquerque Police Department was patrolling the area of 90th Street and Bluewater Road, near 9200 Starboard Road NW in the Avalon Park area. The marked police vehicle was flagged down by an unknown male who was running after the vehicle as it traveled southbound on 90th Street. At the same time, a yellow Hummer was honking to get the officer’s attention. The officer made a U-turn, and the male advised that a man had just been shot and that the suspect was still on scene. Additional units were requested to respond. The witness described the suspect as wearing blue jeans and a flannel jacket.

The first responding officer exited their patrol vehicle and confronted the suspect, later identified as Marcus Otero, 25, ordering him to turn around, show his hands, and lie face down on the ground. Otero complied, was held at gunpoint until a backup officer arrived, and assisted in handcuffing Otero. He was then detained and placed in a marked patrol vehicle.

The victim was surrounded by multiple individuals attempting to render aid. A witness stated he had observed the entire incident, possessed a concealed carry permit, and had held Otero at gunpoint prior to police arrival. The witness said he was at the park with his family when he observed three people walking towards the park and then saw a male in a flannel jacket confront the trio. He reported hearing a gunshot, directed his family to safety, drew his personal firearm, and ordered Otero to drop the weapon, which Otero did. In the criminal complaint, the witness says officers arrived approximately one minute later.

The cousin of the concealed carry holder, who was also at the park, told APD officers he did not witness the shooting but heard a single gunshot and assisted in moving children to safety.

A woman stated that she, her boyfriend, and her brother-in-law were walking from their residence to a nearby park after a meal. She said that as her boyfriend disposed of a plastic plate in a trash can near a house, they were approached aggressively by Otero. The woman went on to tell officers that Otero punched her boyfriend. When her boyfriend retreated back, Otero brandished a firearm and shot the victim in the abdomen.

An Amazon delivery driver reported that he was traveling westbound on Starboard Road after crossing 90th St when he saw Otero, dressed in a flannel jacket, shoot another male who appeared to be backing away. He advised police that Otero then attempted to flag him down while holding a firearm and asked the Amazon driver to call police and EMS.

Another witness corroborated that the victim had simply thrown “away the plate in that garbage can so he did not litter,” and that Otero later confronted them minutes later. The witness heard Otero yell “Hey mother fucker” as Otero approached the trio aggressively, and rant about the victim throwing away trash in Otero’s garbage bin. This witness asserted to police that Otero first punched the victim, the victim purportedly punched back, and Otero then shot the victim. The victim then yelled for help and for someone to call 911. The witness recounted that he rushed back to his residence to both call 911 and for his own safety.

APD officers also contacted the suspect’s brother, who was read his rights and agreed to speak with them. The Otero’s brother stated he heard a gunshot while at his residence and ran to the park to check on his brother.

After being advised of his Miranda rights, Otero agreed to provide a statement. He claimed he observed someone going through his trash cans, which he said were posted with a “no trespassing” sign. Otero stated he recognized the individual as someone he had previous issues with and armed himself before confronting the victim.

Otero alleged that the victim had made threats, was “throwing up gang signs,” and Otero was in fear for his life. According to the complaint, Otero, despite reportedly fearing for his safety, continued moving towards the victim until Otero was close enough that the victim struck him. Otero told police that after being hit by the victim and falling to the ground, he got back up and fired one shot at the victim, again stating that he feared for his life. Otero said he then asked witnesses to call 911. He stated the shooting was an act of self-defense.

Otero was booked into MDC on December 15th at 4:56 AM. He has been charged with three counts of Aggravated battery (deadly weapon) and one count of unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon.