ABQ RAW staff
Posted 2/23/2022 6:45PMUpdated 2/24/2022 11:32AM
Suspect Christopher Valencia
A homicide investigation has been launched at a far NE heights gas station where a male was found with a bullet wound to the neck. Albuquerque Police Department responded to the Premier Gas Station in reference to a male with a gunshot wound. The male was transported to UNMH where he died. The victim was named Ryan Costello in a criminal complaint.
The case started at a separate location where the alleged shooter Christopher Valencia was involved in a domestic incident with his girlfriend and her family. Valencia assaulted his girlfriend, fired a shot at the girlfriend’s friend, and took her PT Cruiser to the gas station. According to the criminal complaint, a gas station clerk said Valencia used Valencia’s girlfriends debit card to fuel gas. He told the clerk he got into a fight with his girlfriend and he was going to jail tonight. The clerk has known Valencia as a regular customer. The clerk saw another male enter the store and approach Valencia. He asked Valencia to “let me see it.” It was soon after that Valencia fired two to three rounds at Costello. Valencia claimed self defense because he thought Costello was going to take the gun from him. It was identified as a .40 caliber Glock.
It is unclear if the gun belongs to Valencia and if federal prosecutors will step in with charges because a gun was used in the crimes.
State charges are first degree murder, two aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, shooting at or from a motor and vehicle, and battery of a household member.
This is Albuquerque’s 20th homicide for 2022.
2022 ABQ RAW homicide map. We count all homicides.