Community reacts to deadly road rage shooting near The Pit
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – What cannot be lost in the public health order debate is the fact that another local family is planning a funeral this week. A funeral for an 11-year-old boy, shot to death while leaving an Albuquerque Isotopes game.
The last update came from Albuquerque police Friday, when the department released the name of the little boy who died in this road rage shooting as 11-year-old Froylan Villegas.
At this point, there is still no suspect and no arrests in this case.
“It’s awful, and I think Albuquerque is a great city, but we’re a very violent city,” said Chloe Higashida, an Albuquerque resident.
Police say a family leaving Wednesday night’s baseball game got caught in a deadly case of road rage.
“We’ve always had issues with violence, but the fact that it’s becoming more consistent and hitting closer to home and family time at the baseball park. It’s not okay,” said Miranda Andrego, an Albuquerque teacher.
The road rage reportedly came from someone who thought the family cut them off. An SUV tracked them down right outside The Pit – just west of University and Avenida Cesar Chavez.
Police say someone fired 17 shots at the family’s truck.
“Even movie theaters, just basic outings are triggering these like really violent, tragic events now,” said Higashida.
Villegas died in the shooting. At least one shot also hit his aunt who was driving. She’s reportedly still in unstable condition in the hospital.
Froylan’s mom and infant brother were also in the truck at the time of the shooting.
“I am kind of saddened by the community and how people are acting towards each other, and the fact that because of people’s choices that lives have to be lost, especially lives of kids, like, that’s not acceptable,” Andrego said.
APD released photos of the shooter’s SUV. They say it’s a black or dark-colored Dodge Durango SRT but haven’t named any suspects.
“I hope they’re following every lead they get, you know, I hope they’re working it the way it needs to be worked,” said Patrick Covington, another Albuquerque resident.
This tragedy sparks hope for some but fear for others.
“I hope they catch whoever did this, and I hope that person is brought to justice,” said Higashida.
“It makes me afraid for what the future holds. Because if you can’t go to the baseball game and come back without people getting hurt, and lives being lost, then it makes me wonder how things like Balloon Fiesta are gonna go down if this is going to happen more frequently,” Andrego said.
Video of a stop involving a Dodge Durango was circulating on social media late last week, but police confirmed that was not the correct vehicle.
The blurry photo of the SUV is still the only lead.
If you have any information on this shooting, contact Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling (505) 843-7867 or by submitting an online tip.
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