Dispute Over Paid Sexual Encounter Leads to Murder in War Zone, 2 Suspects Arrested

Albuquerque –

Homicide detectives from the Albuquerque Police Department arrested a couple on Tuesday following a fatal shooting that stemmed from a confrontation over a planned sexual encounter.

Shirley Juras, 48, told detectives she had arranged to meet a man in exchange for money, which she said she needed for payments on an RV she was buying from a friend. She was living in the RV with her boyfriend, James Young, 45.

According to the criminal complaint, Juras and Young met with Nathan Loos at his apartment late Monday. Juras said she left the meeting without engaging in sexual activity, taking the partial payment instead, and left with Young in the RV. Loos then accused her of theft and pursued them in his white Mercedes SUV.

APD began receiving reports of a white Mercedes SUV chasing a white RV. According to a bystander who witnessed the civilian pursuit, the SUV’s driver, Nathan Loos, was waving for help and appeared injured, saying he had just been robbed of his wallet and firearm.

The bystander followed both vehicles as they traveled through the city, eventually watching both the RV and Mercedes turn onto Vermont Street SE, a dead-end road. The witness reported hearing a man shout “get out of here” followed by two gunshots. Shortly after, the Mercedes crashed into a wall.

Responding APD officers discovered an unconscious Nathan Loos inside the SUV with a gunshot wound to the neck. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. APD detectives identified the deceased using a driver’s license found on a nearby sidewalk, along with several discarded bank cards and a health insurance card, recovered by a Major Crime Scene Team (MCST) detective in the 200 block of Shawnee Ct SE.

The investigation led APD homicide detectives to Young and Juras. Initial interviews revealed the dispute originated from an earlier meeting at Loos’ residence. Juras stated she had agreed to a sexual encounter in exchange for $1,000, but according to Juras, Loos reportedly became aggressive and only paid her $300.

While Young and Juras initially provided conflicting stories regarding their whereabouts during the shooting, Young eventually admitted to firing at Loos. Young initially told investigators that Loos had previously allowed him to hold a 9mm handgun and claimed Loos was trying to sell it to him. Young told APD detectives that said Loos encouraged Young to keep the gun and “when you get a change just pay me when you can”.

The complaint alleges that APD detectives informed Young that Juras provided a different account of the events and asked about the actual sequence of events. Young then said that when Loos cornered them on the dead-end street, near 244 Vermont St SE, he believed Loos was reaching for a weapon and “just shot” to protect Juras. Young denied taking anything from Loos, but the complaint notes Young told APD homicide detectives that he was in possession of Loos’ firearm.

Following the shooting, Young reportedly threw the firearm into a neighborhood trash can. Based on a tip from a resident who saw two individuals fleeing the area, detectives obtained a search warrant and recovered a black and green handgun from a bin matching that description.

Young was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court on Tuesday evening. Juras is also facing charges of robbery and conspiracy, she was booked into MDC on Wednesday, March 25 just after midnight.

Young was reportedly charged with murder on April 15, 2011, but the charges were changed in May 3, 2011 to second degree murder, kidnapping (1st degree), burglary (dwelling house), and larceny ($250-500). Young eventually pleaded guilty in 2014 to Second Degree Murder, but the other three charges were Dismissed by Prosecutor / Nolle Prosequi.

Juras has a criminal history dating back to 2016. In recent years, she has been charged with Trafficking Controlled Substances (Distribution)(Narcotic or Meth)(1st Offense), Shoplifting ($250 or Less), Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (PA), Possession of a Controlled Substance – Felony, Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle (1st Offense) x2, and Attempt to Commit a Felony, to wit: Trafficking (by Distribution)(Narcotic or Meth).