Boyfriend Charged in Shooting Death of Girlfriend, Suspect Tried to Blame Drunken Fall of Victim

Albuquerque –

A woman who was shot by her boyfriend over the weekend died today from her injuries, and the suspect is now facing an open count of murder.

James Candelaria, 33, is accused of shooting Destiny Benavidez early Saturday, June 20, at a residence at 2102 Edith Blvd SE.

Officers from the Albuquerque Police Department responded after a female relative who lived in an adjoining unit called 911 to report that Benavidez was bleeding inside Candelaria’s apartment. The relative told dispatchers that Candelaria had said Benavidez fell. Benavidez was transported to a hospital before officers arrived.

The criminal complaint states that the female relative who lived near the incident later acknowledged cleaning blood from inside the apartment, including blood on the walls, after Benavidez was taken to the hospital.

Court records state that family members told investigators Candelaria and Benavidez had been drinking heavily before the shooting. Candelaria’s daughters reported being awakened by him screaming and finding Benavidez bleeding on the floor.

According to court records, hospital staff later discovered metallic fragments consistent with a gunshot wound in Benavidez’s brain during a CT scan.

During an interview with detectives, Candelaria initially claimed he blacked out and woke up with Benavidez in his arms. He repeatedly denied owning a firearm or knowing how she was injured, but later changed his statement and admitted he owned a gun that he said had been legally purchased from a gun store. Candelaria told detectives the firearm discharged while he was inserting a magazine as the couple prepared for a trip to Santa Fe. According to the complaint, “Candelaria claimed he did not intentionally fire the gun and said he did not know why the firearm discharged.”

The complaint states that Candelaria later told investigators he gave the firearm to a relative after the shooting. Detectives recovered a copper bullet fragment inside the residence but did not locate the firearm.

Candelaria later apologized for lying during portions of the interview and said he had been scared. He also denied telling the relative to clean up blood inside the residence.

Authorities allege Candelaria shot Benavidez and later moved the weapon to a relative’s home. Following Benavidez’s death, prosecutors upgraded the case to an open count of murder.

Before the charge was upgraded, Candelaria was charged with aggravated battery against a household member resulting in great bodily harm, tampering with evidence and conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, according to court records.

No additional charges have been announced against two family members, including one who allegedly cleaned the scene and another who is accused of taking the firearm after the shooting. It remains unknown whether any potential criminal charges will be filed.

In December 2025, Candelaria was charged with strangling a woman he had been in a previous relationship with. When APD officers responded, they observed a red mark on the woman’s neck and had a crime scene specialist take photographs to document the injury. Albuquerque Fire Rescue responded and evaluated the woman. Candelaria was charged with Aggravated Battery Against a Household Member (Strangulation or Suffocation). However, in February 2026, the case was dismissed by prosecutors after the primary witness failed to appear, and without that testimony the case could not proceed.

Under the law, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. This publication is based on information provided by the Albuquerque Police Department, publicly available legal documents, and official court filings, and does not make any determination of guilt.