Albuquerque –
Detectives from the Albuquerque Police Department arrested 17-year-old Ruben Valdez yesterday in connection with the fatal shooting on June 30, 2024, at a Downtown parking garage.
Police accuse Valdez of firing multiple shots from a vehicle at the intersection of 2nd St. and Gold Ave. S.W., into the parking garage at 214 2nd St. The shots struck 17-year-old Mariano Salazar in the chest while he stood near an opening to the fourth level of the garage. Salazar died at the scene.
According to witnesses, Salazar was with friends when they arrived at the parking garage on the night of June 30. Moments before the shooting, some teens on the fourth floor with Salazar reportedly shouted, “There’s Ruben.” Witnesses described hearing multiple gunshots fired from street level. One witness observed a white sedan with dark tinted windows stopped at the intersection of 2nd St. and Gold Ave. A male in the passenger seat was seen raising his hand before the shots were fired.
Shortly after the shooting, two individuals reportedly went to Salazar’s vehicle and removed several items, including a rifle and a pillowcase filled with other belongings. Witnesses stated that Salazar often carried a handgun and traded firearms from his vehicle.
The morning after the incident, a Crime Stoppers tip identified Valdez as the shooter. Detectives subsequently used phone and social media data to support search warrants for homes and vehicles associated with the shooting.
Investigators discovered social media messages on Valdez’s accounts indicating an ongoing feud with a friend of Salazar, including a previous shooting at that person’s home. The messages also suggested that several people were aware of Valdez’s involvement in the parking garage shooting. In one message, Valdez allegedly said he “caught a body,” implying he had killed someone.
The investigation is ongoing. Authorities have charged Valdez with an open count of murder and plan to book him into the Metro Detention Center. ABQ RAW has checked MDC throughout the day and Valdez’s booking shot has not been publicly posted.