Homeless Homicide Victim Update, Arrested Suspects are Once Again Juvenile Delinquents

Albuquerque – Last month on May 1st we reported about a homicide victim found in a tent behind some apartments on Carlisle north of Montgomery. Today through the DA’s office we learned that the victim was killed by two juvenile delinquents with prior records. The younger teen was even on juvenile probation at the time he committed this murder.

The Da’s office tells us that investigators believe that on May 1, 2025, a 17-year-old and his 18-year-old accomplice shot and killed Christopher Sturluson. Sturluson set up his homeless camp up in a tent behind an apartment complex at 4601 Carlisle Blvd NE. Police say that the two teens shot the homeless man after Sturluson asked them to stop shooting into a nearby arroyo late that night.

The 17-year-old was on juvenile probation at the time of the murder.
He has a criminal history involving firearms, including bringing a gun to a high school campus in 2022. He received little to no consequences for his multiple juvenile arrests involving firearms.

“Enough is enough. This office has been asking — and urging — lawmakers, over and over, to address the juvenile crime crisis in our state. One of the teens charged with this latest homicide was convicted of bringing a gun to Sandia High School just two years ago. Then he was busted for another gun crime a year later. There were no consequences. He didn’t learn anything except that he could get away with carrying a gun as he pleased. Now, a 23-year-old man is dead, and two teens are charged with murder. This office has charged more than four dozen juveniles with murder in just a few years. Violent juveniles in our community can face consequences AND get behavioral health treatment. The time to do something is now. Ask yourself — how is our current juvenile justice system working? IT’S NOT. INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE DYING.”

— Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman

At this time, the 17-year-old is charged with:

• Murder in the first degree
• Conspiracy to commit shooting at a dwelling or occupied building
• Shooting at a dwelling or occupied building
• Negligent use of a deadly weapon
• Unlawful carrying of a handgun by a person under the age of 19

The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office intends to try him as an adult.

The other teen charged in this case is 18-year-old Joshua Curtis. Curtis is also charged with an open count of murder and multiple other crimes.

Both defendants are presumed innocent under the law unless and until they are convicted in a court of law.

Joshua Curtis