Jury Convicts Teen in AR-Style Rifle Road Rage Shooting

Albuquerque, NM –

This afternoon, a jury found a 16-year-old guilty of multiple felony charges stemming from a violent road rage incident that occurred on May 4, 2025, in Albuquerque.

The teenager, who is unable to be named, was convicted of:

• Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
• Unlawful Possession of a Handgun by a Person Under 19
• Shooting at or from a Motor Vehicle
• Conspiracy to Commit Shooting at or from a Motor Vehicle

Incident Summary:

The incident began when a couple’s vehicle was rear-ended by a Chevrolet Impala at a stoplight near Rio Grande and I-40. Rather than stopping, the Impala fled the scene. The couple followed from a distance and captured photos of the vehicle’s license plate to report to law enforcement.

During the pursuit, the Impala’s passenger, now the convicted teen, brandished an AR-style handgun and fired at least two rounds toward the couple’s vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Officers quickly located the suspect vehicle with the teens still inside, and the firearm was recovered during the arrest.

Sentencing:

The teen now faces the maximum sentence permitted under current New Mexico juvenile law: confinement in a juvenile facility until the age of 21.

The reason the teen could only be held to age 21 is because of the outdated New Mexico’s Juvenile Code. Many law enforcement and community members have called on New Mexico lawmakers to update the juvenile code.

Under current guidelines, even juveniles convicted of the most serious offenses—including murder—are often released at the age of 21, regardless of the brutal violence of the crime.

“We will continue to hold both adults and juveniles accountable under the law,” said Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman in an e-mail release. “No one is above the law, and our office remains committed to ensuring justice is served, protecting public safety, and addressing crime at every level in our community.”

Assistant District Attorney Akram Aijala and Deputy District Attorney Bridget McKenney prosecuted the case.