By: ABQRAW staff
Posted On: 04/02/2023 @2:35PM
ALBUQUERQUE – Around 11:30AM, on Sunday, April 2nd, 2023, APD announced that Homicide Detectives had arrested 83-year-old Melquaides Garcia for the shooting death of his nephew. The shooting reportedly occurred during a disagreement.
According to APD, Homicide Detectives were informed by witnesses that Melquaides Garcia and his nephew, Stephen Garcia, were arguing Saturday afternoon inside their shared trailer, at the Carlisle Plaza Mobile Home Park, which was located at 2901 Carlisle Blvd. N.E. At some point, Melquaides Garcia reportedly retrieved a revolver and fired at least one round at Stephen Garcia. Stephen Garcia died as a result of the gunshot wound.
Melquaides told APD’s Homicide Detectives that in the past, his nephew, Steven, was physically abusive toward him. Melquaides also claimed that he was recently hospitalized following an altercation with Stephen. Melquaides also disclosed to APD Detectives that Stephen was stealing from him and reportedly, some of the items that Stephen stole were firearms. Melquaides told Detectives that on Saturday, he and Stephen were drinking Tequila when Stephen stole a generator, which belonged to Melquaides. Melquaides said that he decided he, “was not going to take it anymore.”
According to APD’s press release, Melquaides said he sat down to watch a basketball game, when Melquaides claims that he blacked out, and he did not remember anything until he put the gun on a table and told his nephew’s girlfriend to call 911. Melquaides later admitted to Detectives that he shot Stephen once, however Melquaides could not explain how or when he retrieved the handgun from a shed before shooting Stephen.
APD’s Homicide Detectives worked with the District Attorney’s Office and decided to charge Melquaides Garcia with 2nd Degree Murder. According to APD’s civilian PIO, Gilbert Gallegos, Melquaides was booked into the Metro Detention Center (MDC).
We tried to locate a booking photo and criminal complaint for Melquaides Garcia, but as of 4/2/2023 at 2:35PM, it does not appear as though a criminal complaint has formally been submitted yet and he is not on MDC’s inmate custody list yet. This might be due to Melquaides Garcia’s age and him having to clear medical screening before being booked into MDC.
We will update this story if more information becomes available.