Mother arrested after son shoots teen during apartment fight

Elaina Gomez-Villeda, 40, faces arrest following the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old girl in northeast Albuquerque. The incident occurred outside an apartment complex near Tennessee Street shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Albuquerque Police Department officials reported that a group of people began arguing outside the buildings before the dispute turned physical. During the scuffle, a 10-year-old boy attempted to pull his mother away from the others but was unsuccessful. He then entered an apartment, retrieved a handgun, and returned to the scene.

One shot from the boy struck the 17-year-old victim, who died at the scene. Gomez-Villeda took her son into a nearby apartment and contacted police. Officers arrived to the location and heard a single gunshot inside the unit. They took cover while several residents emerged from the building.

Gomez-Villeda stepped outside holding a handgun. One officer discharged his weapon, but the shot did not strike anyone, and no injuries were reported. She dropped the firearm and surrendered to authorities.

Homicide detectives are currently investigating the girl’s death. The Multi-Agency Task Force is examining the officer’s gunfire separately.