Suspect in fatal 2021 shooting sentenced to 15 years

RIO RANCHO, N.M. — Alex Jackson was shot 11 times during a fight with his friend Richard Cresap. On Tuesday, Jackson’s family pushed for justice as Cresap was sentenced. 

“Our Alex was taken from us in a senseless and brutal murder on March 10, 2021, just days after his 15th birthday,” said Ruthie Castellon, Jackson’s aunt. 

Jackson’s family addressed the court Tuesday, ahead of the sentencing of Cresap. 

Prosecutors said he was just 18 when he shot Alex 11 times near the old Club Rio Rancho golf course. 

“It’s almost impossible for me to go to sleep at night. I close my eyes and what I see is my baby boy being shot 11 times. I wonder what his last thoughts were,  I wonder what his last words were. Did he call for his mom? Did he suffer? Did he feel pain?” said Abbie Jackson, Jackson’s mother. 

The two teens were friends and were reportedly meeting up to settle a dispute. 

“What started this fight for this altercation was that Alex was having sexual relations with Richard’s mother, and Richard’s sister, and Richard was feeling protective of both his mother and sister,” said the defense attorney. 

Cresap’s defense claimed he only came to the meeting armed because Jackson was known to carry guns. 

According to court documents, Jackson had a BB gun and pointed it at Cresap. The older teen then started shooting, killing Alex.

“He should have had the opportunity to grow up, learn from his mistakes. I know he would have done beautiful things for this world had he been given the opportunity,” said Castellon.  

Cresap was initially charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the case. 

But in April,  he took a plea deal – agreeing to plead guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for the other charges being dropped. 

Cresap faced a maximum of 15 years in prison with his plea. 

13th District Judge George Eichwald made it clear he’s sick of seeing gun violence. 

“This is a total tragedy that did not need to happen,” said Eichwald.  

The judge saw no reason to go easy on Cresap. 

“I’m going to remand Richard Cresap to Department of Corrections for a period of 15 years followed by a period of parole, and obviously he will get credit for any of the time he spent in jail,” Eichwald said.