Alamogordo NM
11-03-2023 4:37pm

Alamogordo Police Announce 2 Homicide Arrests After A 5th Recent Murder

The Alamogordo Police Department sadly announced yet another murder in Otero County, Alamogordo, New Mexico in October. This latest murder occurred on October 30th adding to the mounting murder rate of 5  in as many weeks in this rural Southern New Mexico City. 

On Monday, October 30, 2023, at approximately 7:19 am, Officers with the Alamogordo Police Department responded to the 1200 block of Filipino Avenue in reference to a female subject suffering from a stab wound to her upper torso. The 28-year-old female was transported to Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center for life-threatening injuries and later transferred to a hospital in El Paso, Texas where she succumbed to her injuries. The 12th Judicial District Major Crimes Unit, comprised of investigators from the Alamogordo Police Department, Otero County Sheriff’s Office, 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Ruidoso Police Department, and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, was activated and assumed the investigation.

As a result of the investigation, 34-year-old Arnulfo Flores of Alamogordo, New Mexico was arrested today for First Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. Mr. Flores was processed and booked into the Otero County Detention Center awaiting his court appearance.

Also announced on November 3rd by the Alamogordo Police Department is the arrest of a Suspect Charged in 2021 Vehicular Homicide.

Per an Alamogordo Police Report: 

On August 11, 2021, Officers with the Alamogordo Police Department discovered an unresponsive female on the side of the road on South Walker Avenue. The female was deceased, and it appeared she was struck by a vehicle. The female was identified as Jacquelin Rene Lucero of Alamogordo, New Mexico. The 12th Judicial District Major Crimes Unit, comprised of investigators from the Alamogordo Police Department, Otero County Sheriff’s Office, 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office Investigators, Ruidoso Police Department, and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, was activated and assumed the investigation.

After a lengthy investigation, and after receiving the results of crime laboratory testing, 34-year-old Sam Fife III is being charged with Homicide by Vehicle (DWI 2nd or more), a 2nd-degree felony. He is currently in custody at the Otero County Detention Center.

These two arrests related to homicides come on the heels of a public outcry of concern about a rash of murders in Otero County and more specifically Alamogordo causing political leaders and the Alamogordo Police and Sheriff’s Department to feel pressure. 

These arrests follow a string of now 5 murders and a spike in violence within Otero County and most specifically Alamogordo since September 25th, 2023. This string of murders began with an incident on Monday, September 25, 2023, at approximately 2:32 pm, Officers with the Alamogordo Police Department responded to the 3000 block of North Florida Avenue (Hang Glider Park) near Griggs Field in reference to a disturbance and one subject had been shot.

Officers and investigators arrived shortly to find a 42-year-old male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers and investigators additionally located another male subject claiming to be the shooter. Officers rendered aid on scene prior to having AMR transport the 42-year-old male to Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center. The male subject, identified as Joseph Romo, later succumbed to his injuries. The city of Alamogordo has since ended employment with several individuals in the Parks and Recreation Department. To date NO formal charges have  been filed by the District Attorney’s Offices in response to this murder.

Another incident of a murder of a young clerk at a convenience store near Weed shook the core of that small community in Otero County.

The murder wave has continued with a murder off the highway coming into Alamogordo, a shooting at Oregon Park of several teenagers and the murder of one by a teenager and now a stabbing death increasing the recent wave of murders to 5 over about as many weeks. 

Alamogordo’s Mayor gave a statement earlier in the week over the need for multi governmental actions to help improve civility and reduce crime in the local community.

The faith community has stepped up with candle light vigils and Anthony Torres of Mountain View Church led a Hugs not Guns campaign last week at several area schools to help spread a message of love across the community in an attempt to temper the recent crime wave. 

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