Auto Parts Purchase Leads to Double Homicide, Suspect States He Feared for His Life

Albuquerque –

On September 14, 2025, at approximately 5:12 PM, deputies from the Bernalillo Count Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported shooting at O’Reilly Auto Parts, located at 2712 West Sunshine Plaza. Upon arrival, deputies located a male subject, later identified as Richard Newman, 47, in the parking lot with at least one gunshot wound. Newman had sustained injuries beyond life-saving measures. They also located another employee inside the store with a gunshot wound to the back. The second employee, Jesus Valdez, 18, was still alive and was transported to UNMH. Valdez died from his injuries either while en route to the hospital or shortly after arrival.

Ismael Tena, 27, of Albuquerque is now charged with two murders of both O’Reilly Auto Parts employees.

Witnesses on scene reported seeing a male wearing a black shirt and blue jeans involved in a confrontation with two O’Reilly Auto Parts employees. According to witnesses, the suspect retrieved an item, later determined to be a firearm, from a white GMC pickup. The man was seen shooting both employees, and he then fled the scene in his GMC truck. Witnesses also observed an unknown second male, wearing a flannel shirt, leaving the scene on foot.

At approximately 5:17 PM, Emergency Communications received a call from a subject identified as Ismael Tena, 27, who stated he feared for his life and he claimed that two O’Reilly’s employees had “come after” him. Tena then hung up on 911.

Deputies canvassed the area and located the white GMC pickup near Isleta and Blake. They conducted a felony stop and detained the driver. Deputies identified the driver as Ismael Tena. Tena was the only occupant inside the vehicle. Deputies observed a handgun holster in plain view on the passenger-side floorboard. After being advised of his constitutional rights, Tena agreed to speak with deputies.

Tena stated he had shot the employees because he feared for his life. Deputies transported him to the APD/BCSO John Price Law Enforcement Center for further investigation.

During an interview, Tena explained that he and a relative had gone to O’Reilly Auto Parts to exchange an oil filter that had been incorrectly provided earlier in the day. Tena said he became involved in a verbal altercation with an employee, Tena exited the business, and was followed outside by two employees. According to Tena, the situation escalated into a physical confrontation during which the employees allegedly shoved and punched him repeatedly. Fearing for his safety, Tena stated he retrieved a firearm from his vehicle, warned the employees he would shoot, and opened fire after one employee reportedly told him to “go ahead.”

BCSO deputies did not observe visible injuries to Tena consistent with being punched multiple times. No bruising or swelling typically associated with a physical altercation. Tena admitted he fled the scene because he was afraid and confirmed the firearm had remained inside his vehicle.

Investigators later identified the second male seen fleeing the scene in a flannel shirt as a relative of Tena. Deputies located and also transported him to the John Price Law Enforcement Center for an interview.

A Spanish-speaking detective conducted the interview, as the individual spoke only Spanish. He stated that he and Tena went to the store to exchange an incorrectly sold oil filter. According to his account, the employees completed the sale exchange without issue. However, when he requested two replacement containers of motor oil, stating the originals had been wasted due to the incorrect filter, the employees declined to provide the free oil replacement.

The relative reported that Tena became upset, shoplifted two containers of oil, and walked out of the store. The employees followed Tena, and a physical altercation occurred outside. The relative claimed to have stepped in between the altercation, but Tena then went to his vehicle and retrieved a handgun and shot both employees.

The criminal complaint states at the end that “It should be noted that neither Richard Newman nor Jesus Valdez was armed at any point during the incident.”

Tena was booked into MDC and is now facing two murder charges.