“Cowboy” Arrested for Murder After Homeless Love Triangle Stabbing

Albuquerque –

The Albuquerque Police Department had a delayed alert in notifying media and the public of a homicide investigation in Albuquerque’s Valley area command by nearly 10 hours. The homicide happened on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026. We received the e-mail notification on March 18th, 2026.

APD homicide detectives charged Trinity Carlson, known as “Cowboy,” for the fatal stabbing on Tuesday that followed a fight between the suspect and the victim.

Carlson, 45, admitted he was in a fight with the victim over a woman. The victim, an adult male, is not being identified until family members are notified of his death.

Witnesses said Carlson got into a physical altercation involving a metal pipe with the victim Tuesday evening at the Freeway Liquors, located at 2034 2^nd St. N.W., near I-40. A security guard broke up the fight by spraying both men with pepper spray.

About 30 minutes later, a witness said Carlson approached the victim again at 1^st St. and McKnight Ave. N.W. and chased the victim. The witness said he heard the victim say, “Get away from me,” and “please go away,” as Carlson attempted to grab something from his hip.

Just before 8 p.m., an Albuquerque Transit Security officer announced over the police radio that he located a man with an apparent stab wound to the chest near the intersection of Hannett Ave. and 3^rd St. N.W. The victim was transported to the hospital, but died as a result of his wound.

APD officers arrived in the area and got a description of the suspect. An officer saw a man matching the description of suspect get into the passenger side of a vehicle and leave the area. Officers followed the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop at Lomas Blvd and Spur St. N.W. Officers detained the man, later identified as Carlson.

Through further investigation, homicide detectives secured an arrest warrant for Carlson, charging him with an open count of murder, tampering with evidence, and aggravated assault. The complaint states he hunted down the victim and killed him.

Carlson suffered a broken elbow in the melee and was booked late in the day on March 18th, 2026. Carlson had five pending cases in Bernalillo Metropolitan Court, dating back to October 2025. He faces numerous charges, including Criminal Trespass, Unlawful Camping in publicly owned areas, Unlawful Obstruction of Sidewalks (typically filed when tents or individuals obstruct sidewalks), Resisting, Evading, or Obstructing an Officer, and others.

EDITOR NOTE: An earlier version stated the homicide happened on March 16th, 2026, and we received the e-mail notification on March 17th, 2026. The homicide was on Tuesday, March 17th, and the email from APD was sent on March 18th at 11:36 AM.

It should also be noted the email from APD stated this incident happened just before 8 PM but the complaint states officers were called at 1757 hours (5:57 pm). The complaint states: On March 17th, 2026, at approximately 1757 hours, Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers were dispatched to the intersection of Hannett Ave NW and 3rd St NW in reference to a reported stabbing incident. The Albuquerque Transit Officer advised over the radio that he had located a male had an apparent stab wound to his chest.