Teen Dies Days Later After Shooting; Police Pursue Murder Charges

Albuquerque –

The Albuquerque Police Department’s Public Information Officer announced that APD detectives were informed that 16-year-old Joshua Torres died on Thursday as a result of a gunshot wound he suffered during an altercation on July 21, 2025.

APD’s public information office was delayed by ten days in reporting on this shooting. The media received the email about the shooting and the subsequent death of the teen around August 2nd at 7:46 PM.

Recently, shootings and stabbings have not been reported, even if the victim is in critical condition.

Officers arrested Daniel Mayorga, 20, shortly after the shooting at a location known as “The View,” where teens were hanging out shortly before 1:30 AM on July 21 in the area of Kimmick Dr. and Valiente Rd. NW, near Paseo Del Norte.

According to witnesses, one group of teens made contact with another group of teens as other cars left the area. Mayorga got upset with one of the boys in the other group and shoved him. Torres stepped in, exchanged words with Mayorga who shoved Torres. Torres punched Mayorga, who then produced a handgun and shot Torres in the eye.

Mayorga later told detectives he was drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana with friends when a fight started nearby. He denied being involved and said he heard a gunshot, but was not the shooter.

Mayorga was arrested after the shooting and charged aggravated battery with a deadly weapon resulting in great bodily harm, tampering with evidence and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon.

Detectives will work with the District Attorney’s Office to revise the charges as a result of Torres’s death.