New Mexico – In a violent outburst rooted in jealousy and control, a 35-year-old New Mexico man, identified as E. Castaneda, is facing serious charges after killing his girlfriend’s 45-year-old ex-husband, identified as A. Gomez, in broad daylight while children were nearby. He has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and three counts of child abuse following the fatal shooting of Gomez, who was at the home to help his ex-wife with her car.
According to the New Mexico State Police, the fatal confrontation happened around 2:20 p.m. last Wednesday. Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of gunfire and arrived to find Gomez lying on the ground outside the residence, unresponsive and suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by officers and EMS, Gomez was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a local hospital.
Investigators say the violence stemmed from a domestic situation involving the female homeowner, her ex-husband Gomez, and her current boyfriend, Castaneda. According to authorities, the woman had picked up Gomez earlier that day to help fix her vehicle, which had mechanical issues. Castaneda, who was at work at the time, reportedly tried contacting her and became suspicious and upset when he got no response.
Shortly after, Castaneda arrived unannounced at the residence. What followed was a heated altercation between the two men. According to the police statement, “At some point during the altercation, Castaneda brandished a firearm and began firing at Gomez, striking Gomez and the female at least once.” The woman suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to her arm and was taken to a hospital for treatment. Police confirmed that her children — who she shared with Gomez — were present during the shooting, leading to the child abuse charges.
Court records paint a clearer picture of Castaneda’s motive and mindset. The female victim told police that Castaneda felt disrespected and had expressed anger upon learning Gomez was at her home. Just before opening fire, Castaneda reportedly yelled at the victim and then proceeded to “empty the magazine,” firing at least 12 times. In an interview after his arrest, Castaneda claimed the shooting was in self-defense and that Gomez had attacked him first. He also stated that he accidentally shot his girlfriend in the process while trying to protect her and the children.
However, witnesses and physical evidence have contradicted those claims. Authorities said Castaneda fled the scene immediately after the shooting, prompting an hours-long manhunt. Castaneda was eventually tracked down around 10:30 p.m. the same evening. Officers arrested him without incident. He is currently being held without bond at the county detention center.
He is scheduled to appear in court on July 31, 2025, where prosecutors are expected to present the full scope of evidence surrounding the deadly shooting. As of now, authorities are continuing their investigation, interviewing witnesses and collecting surveillance footage to solidify the case. The woman and her children are said to be recovering physically, but the emotional impact of the incident will likely last a lifetime. This case serves as a grim reminder of how domestic disputes can spiral into devastating violence when fueled by jealousy, rage, and access to firearms.
