Two Arrested in Connection with June 9 Smoke Shop Murder

Deluvino Salazar (left) and Salvador Gutierrez (right)

Albuquerque –

On July 2, 2024, APD detectives arrested Deluvino Salazar, 41, in connection with the June 9, 2024, murder of Samuel Chavez-Aquiar outside the Rags 2 Riches smoke shop on Central Avenue.

Officers responded to a shooting around 10:00 PM on June 9 at 8307 Central Ave. N.E. They found Chavez-Aquiar in the parking lot with a single gunshot wound. Despite medical intervention by responding officers, Chavez-Aquiar died from his injuries following transport to the hospital.

Surveillance footage showed Chavez-Aquiar with another man and a woman in the parking lot just before the shooting. He appeared to exchange words with the passenger of a silver Cadillac SUV, which began driving northbound on Utah St. The Cadillac stopped, and as it reversed, Chavez-Aquiar, who had drawn a gun from his waistband, was confronted by the passenger aiming a firearm at him. The man and woman took cover and fled towards Central Avenue, while Chavez-Aquiar retreated closer to the business.

The Cadillac moved forward with the passenger still tracking Chavez-Aquiar. As Chavez-Aquiar raised his firearm toward the Cadillac, he suddenly lowered his arms and fell, apparently from a gunshot wound.

Detectives tracked the Cadillac using surveillance video, including footage from several ART bus stations along Central. They identified Salazar as the owner and driver of the vehicle. Salazar was arrested and charged with an open count of murder, shooting at or from a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy.

On Thursday, July 11, APD detectives arrested the suspected shooter, Salvador Gutierrez, 35, for the same murder. Gutierrez is the alleged shooter. Surveillance video had shown Gutierrez leaning out of the Cadillac and pointing a firearm at Chavez-Aquiar.

Authorities charged Gutierrez with an open count of murder, shooting at or from a motor vehicle, being a felon in possession of a firearm, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy. They booked Gutierrez into the Metro Detention Center on July 12th, 2024 at 2:40 AM. At the time of this posting, both Salazar and Gutierrez were still in custody at MDC.

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