A New Mexico road rage incident has claimed the life of a teen on the way to give his mother a ride home from work Thursday.
KOAT 7 reports that the confrontation began on San Mateo Boulevard near Phoenix Road around 1:45 p.m.
Surveillance footage captured a Mustang, driven by Cecilio Lopez, 31, performing a U-turn and pulling directly into the path of 19-year-old Roman Valenciano’s Nissan. According to the Albuquerque Police Department, Lopez is accused of opening fire from his silver Ford Mustang, fatally striking Valenciano.
Valenciano was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators stated that Lopez had engaged in “brake-checking” the victim, bringing his vehicle to a complete halt in the middle of the roadway.
As both cars continued southbound past Constitution, Lopez allegedly accelerated alongside the Nissan near Tully’s restaurant.
Detectives believe Lopez then fired into the other vehicle, causing Valenciano to drift to a stop as the Mustang fled the area.
Investigators noted that the silver Mustang returned to the vicinity of the crime three separate times while officers were processing the scene.
Police utilized license-plate recognition technology to identify the vehicle and link it to Lopez, who was discovered to be on probation for a prior felony conviction.
After tracking the car to a residence in the North Valley where Lopez had been staying, detectives executed a search warrant and apprehended the suspect.
Lopez now faces several serious charges: an open count of murder, shooting at or from a motor vehicle resulting in death, tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm by a felon.
KOB 4 reports Lopez’s interaction with law enforcement dates back to 2012, when he was charged with the murder of a 17-year-old.
The charges against him were later dismissed.
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[Feature Photo: Cecilio Lopez/Albuquerque PD]