Teen suspect in double shooting found, arrested

ROSWELL, N.M. – A teenager was arrested for a recent double homicide at a local park.

Police said Tuesday that 15-year-old Jayvin Montoya was arrested after he was discovered to be staying in a trailer near U.S. 70 in Ruidoso. He was subsequently arrested and brought to the Roswell Police Department before being taken to a juvenile detention facility in another county.

Montoya was charged last week with two counts of murder, and one count each of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon in the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Cameron Luna and 16-year-old Jorge Armendariz.

On Monday, a person of interest in the case, 14-year-old Carlos Gallegos went to a Roswell police station around 10:30 p.m. Monday and was interviewed. He was then released.

Investigators believe Montoya and a second shooter, believed to be Gallegos, fatally shot Luna and Armendariz, around 5 p.m. April 16 at Cahoon Park on Riverside Drive.

According to investigators, Luna and Armendariz were allegedly sitting inside a parked vehicle near the park’s basketball and tennis courts, when multiple shots were fired into the car they were seated in.

Both suspects fled the scene.

Investigators say both victims had met up with another individual at the park to buy a gun. However, the seller of the handgun is believed to have left before another vehicle, allegedly carrying Montoya and Gallegos, arrived and the shooting happened.

Police say they are still seeking a third teenager, 16-year-old David Salas, who is considered a person of interest in the case.

Montoya’s mother, Jessica Lee Montoya, 41, was arrested and charged April 20 with one count each of tampering with evidence, conspiracy to tamper with evidence and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in the case.

Court records state that Jayvin Montoya and Gallegos allegedly used a 2011 Ford Fusion, belonging to Jessica Lee Montoya, to drive to-and-from the park when the shooting happened. She then reportedly worked to hide the vehicle at a series of locations before police found it during a traffic stop.

Bond was set for Montoya at $10,000 cash or surety following an April 21 appearance in Chaves County Magistrate Court.