11-11-2024 12:20am

New Mexico State Police Investigate Homicide in Bayard

Chris Edwards Editor

On Friday, November 1st, 2024, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested by the Bayard Police Department to investigate a homicide in Bayard, NM.

Investigations Bureau agents learned that on Friday, November 1, 2024, at about 2:00 p.m., the Grant County Sheriff’s Office received a report of shots fired on US-180 near milepost 119. Deputies spoke with the victim in that shooting, a 54-year-old female, who told deputies she was driving her vehicle when her boyfriend, Anthony Aveles (61), shot her. After the shooting, Aveles, who was driving in a separate vehicle, fled the scene. Deputies notified surrounding agencies and began searching for Aveles. The victim was transported to an area hospital where she was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

While the Bayard Police Department searched for Aveles, officers received a second report of shots fired at 500 N. East Street in Bayard, NM. When officers arrived, they located David Ruiz (46) deceased inside the residence.

After the second shooting, law enforcement received a phone call from a woman who stated her estranged husband, Anthony Aveles (61) had killed her son-in-law, David Ruiz. She also provided them with Aveles’ whereabouts. Bayard PD officers responded to 705 Rogers Street in Bayard, NM where they located Aveles armed with a handgun. He surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody without incident. The handgun in Aveles’ possession was recovered by officers.

Aveles was later interviewed by NMSP Investigations Bureau agents. During the interview, Aveles accused Ruiz of engaging in a romantic relationship with his girlfriend, who was the victim of the first shooting. After a phone call between Aveles and Ruiz, Aveles drove to Ruiz’s home and fatally shot him.

Anthony Aveles was booked into the Grant County Detention Center and charged with the following:

· 1st Degree Murder

· 1st Degree Attempted Murder

· Shooting at a Motor Vehicle

This incident remains under active investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau. Once complete, the investigation will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office.