Four Albuquerque teens charged with murder appear in court Thursday

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Four Albuquerque teens – all facing murder charges – were in different courtrooms Thursday to face a judge.

16-year-old Luis Diaz made his first appearance in court. He was arrested Wednesday for his role in the murder of 19-year-old Alana Gamboa on the Fourth of July.

Earlier this month, police arrested two other teens – 15-year-old Micalas McClndon and 14-year-old Lorenzo Lovato – after they allegedly set up a drug deal with Gamboa and ended up robbing and killing her. Police say Gamboa was shot to death while she was sitting in her car.

Another high-profile case in the metro centered on teen murder suspects is the tragic killing of 5-year-old Galilea Samaniego.

Police say Samaniego was shot in the head during a drive-by shooting when one group of teens were targeting another teen who lived in the trailer home she was sleeping in.

Two of the four teens accused in the case – 15-year-old Alexander Barraza and 16-year-old Yahir Carballo – were scheduled for pretrial detention hearings Thursday. However, the decision of whether or not to hold them behind bars was delayed.

Judge David Murphy granted a motion and said the case should be heard in a timely manner in juvenile court. That hearing has not been scheduled yet at this time.

The third suspect in that case, 15-year-old Alan Ramirez, was also in front of a judge Thursday. He made his first court appearance after the Albuquerque Police Department announced he was arrested by Bernalillo County deputies Wednesday morning.

“The state has filed a motion for pretrial detention that means this case will be transferred to district court and they will determine conditions of release,” Judge Renée Torres said.

Police are still looking for a fourth suspect in the case – Alan’s older brother, 17-year-old Jose Luis Ramirez. Police say if you know where he is, call 911.