Murderer Charged After Killing Man Trying to Protect Woman, Red Tesla was Key Evidence in Suspect’s Arrest

Albuquerque –

Homicide detectives with the Albuquerque Police Department charged Kwamie L’Shuan Williamson for the shooting death on Monday morning of Juan Lopez. SWAT officers took no chances and arrested Williamson late Monday.

Williamson, 34, was driving a red Tesla early Monday and pulled up next to Lopez and a woman who were walking in the 100 block of San Pablo St. SE. The woman told detectives that Williamson exited the Tesla armed with a rifle-style firearm and told Lopez, “You talking shit?” The woman said the two men got into a confrontation and Williamson shot Lopez once in the chest.

APD’s ShotSpotter gunshot detection system registered a shot fired at 5:12 a.m. at the location. The woman said Williamson and another man got into the Tesla and fled the area. Lopez, 33, was transported to the hospital but later died as a result of the gunshot wound.

The female witness informed detectives that she recognized Williamson and alleged that he had been harassing and robbing her during a recent violent encounter. She recounted to police how she had been forced to relocate from her home three times to escape Williamson’s harassing behavior.

Detectives identified the red Tesla that Williamson was driving at the time of the homicide. They used Automated License Plate Readers and surveillance video throughout the area to track the vehicle. They also used data from phones, text messages, witness statements and information from recent police encounters to verify Williamson’s identity.

Homicide investigators later discovered that Williamson abandoned the red Tesla in front of a residence in Southeast Albuquerque. Detectives conducted surveillance and SWAT officers arrested him.

According to the criminal complaint, there was a passenger that helped Williamson with the murder and that person has not yet been identified.

Williamson is charged with an open count of murder, conspiracy to commit an open count of murder, aggravated stalking, conspiracy to commit aggravated stalking, tampering with evidence on an open count of murder, and felon in possession of a firearm.