🌱 House Party Shooting Victims + Man Sentenced For Car Theft

Morning, everybody. It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Albuquerque Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 80 Low: 57.
• Thursday: Sunny and delightful. High: 86 Low: 57.

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Here are the top three stories today in and around Albuquerque:

1. Albuquerque police have identified the victims in this past weekend's house party shooting. According to authorities, Marcos Perez and Jordan Johnson, both 18, and 19-year-old Nick Ortega were killed in the shooting. Police were called to a shooting at a home in the vicinity of Washington Street NE and Hilton Avenue NE around 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jun. 3, and found the three young men dead, as well as a 17-year-old girl hiding behind a couch who suffered gunshot wounds to the leg. Gilbert Gallegos, APD spokesman said, "We've seen this over and over again with these house parties." (KOB)
2. Thirty-year-old Xavier Wells was arrested in October 2021 after being apprehended by law enforcement in a stolen car equipped with a tracking device. On Tuesday, Jun. 6, he was sentenced to two and a half years for auto theft and possession of a concealed substance. Wells, who was arrested near Coors and Ellison, was found with the help of the vehicle owner's Tile tracking device. (KRQE)
3. Nearby in Rio Rancho, the Spring Road reconstruction project is set to start on Jun. 12. Crews in the project will be working on the replacement of pavement on Spring Road from Unser Boulevard to Mesa Road, as well as the replacement of the waterline, with work expected to be complete by January of next year. While work is underway detours and access/lane restrictions are to be expected according to local officials. (Rio Rancho Observer)

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Today and tomorrow in Albuquerque:

Wednesday, June 7

• Shane Wallin At Vintage 423 (5:30 PM)
• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night At Ponderosa Brewing Company (7:00 PM)

Thursday, June 8

• Finding Joy In Movement - Thriving Women's Circle At Pueblo Montaño Picnic Area And Trailhead (6:00 PM)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

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From my notebook:

• The ABQ BioPark is coming at you on Instagram with a live music lineup including LADAMA at Zoo Music on Jun. 16! (ABQ BioPark via Instagram)
• The first 3,000 fans 21 and older will receive a hat at this Friday (Jun. 9's) Albuquerque Isotopes game! (Albuquerque Isotopes via Instagram)
• The Albuquerque Police Department is asking for public assistance in locating a white Dodge Charger (photograph at the link) that was involved in a homicide that occurred downtown on May 29. The vehicle did not have a license plate at the time the photo was taken, and has a black racing stripe only on the trunk. Please contact 505-242-COPS or Crime Stoppers at 505-843-STOP with any information. (Albuquerque Police Department via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Play Day for a Cause at Kiddie Academy of Paradise Hills (June 10)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with another update.

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.