1991 Chimayo shootings

On January 26, 1991, seven people were killed in a shooting rampage perpetrated by 28-year-old Ricky Abeyta in Chimayo, New Mexico, including a baby, a sheriff's deputy, and another officer.

1991 Chimayo shootings
Location	Chimayo, New Mexico, U.S.
Date	January 26, 1991
Attack type	Mass murder, spree killing, home invasion
Weapon	7mm Magnum rifle .38-caliber revolver .357 Magnum revolver
Deaths	7
Injured	1
Perpetrator	Ricky Abeyta

Abeyta was convicted and sentenced to life in December 1991. The crime remains the deadliest mass murder in New Mexican history.

Background

Ricky Abeyta lived in the same house as his girlfriend, 36-year-old Ignacita R. Vasquez. She filed a restraining order against him and was trying to move out of the house at the time of the mass killing, hence the police presence.^[1]

Mass killing

Armed with a 7mm magnum rifle and a .38-caliber handgun, Abeyta killed his girlfriend by shooting her in the head, her daughter, her daughter's boyfriend by shooting him in the spine, her daughter's infant by shooting him in the head, and one of her relatives.^[2] His girlfriend's son was also badly wounded and hospitalized with two total bullet wounds in his chest and groin.^[3][4] State policeman Jerry Martinez was the first to arrive at the scene and was shot two times in the head while in his police cruiser before Abeyta then stole the lawman's .357 magnum revolver.^[5] Officer Glen Huber was shot in the head through the window of his car as well.^[6]

Victims

• Ignacita R. Vasquez, 36
• Maryellen Sandoval, 19
• Macario Gonzales, 19
• Justin Gonzales, 6 months
• Cheryl Rendon, 25
• Jerry Martinez, 35
• Glen Huber
• Eloy Sandoval, 13 (survived)

Aftermath

After a large manhunt with up to 60 lawmen searching the area, Abeyta turned himself in the day after the mass killing, at about 10pm.^[7]

Abeyta claimed self-defense but was convicted of four counts of first degree murder, two counts of second degree murder, and one count of involuntary manslaughter.^[8] The prosecution sought a death sentence. However, after deliberating for 11 days, the jury voted for a life sentence. In December 1991, Abeyta was sentenced to four life terms plus 36 years, the maximum for all the charges. The crime remains the deadliest mass murder in New Mexican history.^[9]