APD: 2 cars recovered, possibly tied to fatal shooting of 5-year-old girl

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Two cars have been recovered in connection to the fatal shooting of a 5-year-old girl at a trailer park home early Sunday morning, according to Albuquerque police.

According to APD, they have recovered evidence from two Kia Soul cars, and they are being analyzed by investigators.

In an update Monday, police identified the victim as Galilea Samaniego.

“While we can’t go into the circumstances of the recovered vehicles, we have reason to believe they may be connected to the drive-by shooting that took the life of an innocent, 5-year-old girl,” said APD Chief Harold Medina in a press release. “We also believe several people have information that can help our detectives with this investigation. We urge those individuals to come forward and do the right thing. Help us bring justice to Galilea Samaniego.”

Police say she did not live at the trailer, but she was staying the night and sleeping in a front room facing the street when someone fired a gun into the trailer shortly before 6 a.m. Sunday.

“It appears at this point that the offender intended to shoot someone else, but blindly shot into a residence and tragically killed this young girl,” said Medina. “We believe there are people in the community who can provide details about this shooting. I hope they have a conscience and reach out to detectives so they can bring justice to this victim.”

Anyone with information can contact police at 505-242-COPS. Anonymous tips can be made to Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers at 505-843-STOP.