Felonious Underage Teen Arrested in Deadly Gun Sale Shooting

Albuquerque –

The Albuquerque Police Department arrested 17-year-old Jesus Avila Gonzalez late Monday for the murder of Ethan Cruz, 17, in January. The incident occurred during an attempt to sell a firearm, according to APD. He is under 18 and due to the lack of any substantial criminal justice reform for juveniles, we will not have a booking mug for him.

Eduardo Huerta was previously arrested on February 19, 2026, for his involvement in the fatal shooting.

According to information released by APD, homicide detectives determined that Gonzalez and Huerta had arranged to sell a firearm to Cruz on the evening of Jan. 20, 2026 The meeting was set to take place in the parking lot of the Allsup’s gas station at 9501 Gibson Blvd. SW. Authorities said the teens communicated through a secret social media app. Cruz arrived at the parking lot shortly before 7 PM.

After exchanging the firearm for $1,000, witnesses reported that Gonzalez and Huerta realized the money was counterfeit. Huerta and Gonzalez, who were in Huerta’s red Infinity, pursued Cruz, who was in a white Nissan Rogue. Later, Huerta told detectives that Gonzalez fired several rounds from a handgun into Cruz’s vehicle. Although Huerta denied to APD detectives that he had a firearm, an acquaintance told investigators that Huerta admitted he also fired a gun, in addition to Gonzalez.

APD’s ShotSpotter system indicated that 23 gunshots were fired at 6:54 PM in the vicinity where the vehicles had stopped. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Cruz seated in the passenger’s seat, with gunshot wounds to his head and leg. They also discovered a female teenager in the driver’s seat, who had gunshot wounds to her legs. Both victims were transported to a local hospital. Cruz later died as a result of his wounds. The 17-year-old girl survived.

According to APD, homicide detectives used license plate readers to help identify the red Infiniti and compare its location history with data and social media content obtained from Cruz’s phone. Detectives also linked the vehicle to a student at Atrisco Heritage Academy High School and later identified Huerta as the driver. Homicide investigators reviewed surveillance video from the school and data from Huerta’s phone, which they allege connected him to the scene of the shooting on Jan. 20.

Gonzalez faces multiple charges, including an open count of murder, conspiracy, tampering with evidence, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, and shooting at or from a motor vehicle. He will be booked into the Juvenile Detention Center.