APD Makes Arrest After Drug Deal Dispute Ends in Fatal War Zone Shooting

Albuquerque –

Albuquerque Police Department (APD) detectives arrested Juan Gonzalez, 65, for the fatal shooting of an adult male on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The incident stemmed from a drug deal gone awry at the American Inn and Suites, located at 7407 Central Ave. NE. This is located inside the International War Zone District.

Gonzalez, 65, is accused of shooting Walfrido Lopezrequi-Laserie, 41, shortly before 8:00 PM, at a residence located at 132 Rhode Island St. NE.

According to witness accounts, the victim and a group of individuals drove to the American Inn and Suites, located at 7407 Central Ave. NE. to purchase drugs. The victim, Walfrido, became involved in a physical altercation with the individual he intended to buy drugs from. Juan Gonzalez, known at the time as “Juanito,” intervened in the fight. Following the altercation, Walfrido and his group left the motel.

The criminal complaint states “Gonzalez traveled approximately .5 miles to Walfrido’s residence and laid in wait for him to return home.” At some point, Walfrido and the group returned to Walfrido’s house, and the group parked their vehicle. As Walfrido and his friends exited their vehicle, Gonzalez got out of the driver’s seat of an older red sedan. The complaint alleges that Gonzalez asked for Walfrido, who reportedly responded, whereupon Gonzalez shot him once in the chest, resulting in Walfrido’s death. Gonzalez then pointed his handgun at two other individuals before fleeing the scene.

After the shooting, Gonzalez got into the sedan, leaving the parking lot, drove south on Rhode Island St NE, and took the firearm. Authorities allege that by removing the murder weapon from the crime scene, he attempted to hinder the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.

Gonzalez is charged with an open count of murder, and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Accused has Multiple Aliases and Faces Long History of Dismissed Charges

The accused has a history of criminal activity, including at least six prior charges for Trafficking Controlled Substances and two for Aggravated Battery (against a household member), dating back to 2015. However, many of the charges have been dismissed because of a lack of prosecution (uncooperative complainant), a 2019 trafficking charges just says “Case Dismissed,” a second 2019 trafficking charged was dismissed because “Necessary witnesses are not available for trial,” “the State has determined it is not in the interest of justice to proceed (2020),” and a 2022 charge for trafficking drugs was dismissed right before it went to trial in 2023, “the State cannot prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt with the evidence available.”

We noticed on the MDC booking sheet for Juan Gonzalez, he reportedly has six other alias names and other dates of births.

**Individuals named or pictured in this story or other ABQ RAW stories are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.**