A 21-year-old Northern New Mexico man was charged with five counts of murder after police said he was involved in a killing spree that resulted in the deaths of his mom, step-dad, brother and two more people.
Damian Herrera, 21, was charged Thursday after a massive manhunt that spanned Northern New Mexico and parts of Colorado.
The Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Department was initially dispatched to a shooting in La Madera, NM around 3:30 Thursday afternoon. When officers arrived, they found Maria Rosita Gallegos, 49, Max Trujillo Sr., and Brendan Herrera, 20, dead from gunshot wounds.
Authorities said Damian Herrera was in a domestic dispute with his family members shortly before the shooting.
Two hours later, another 911 call came into dispatch about 35 miles away in Tres Piedras, NM regarding another shooting. When investigators arrived, they learned that Michael Kyte, 61, was shot and killed.
Authorities believe that after she shooting, Herrera stole Kyte’s pickup and drove north to Antonito, Colorado.
He drove back into New Mexico eventually ending up in Abiquiu.
In Abiquiu, Herrera stopped at the Bode’s General store. Officials said he shot and killed Manuel Serrano, 59, of Youngsville, NM around 8:15 p.m.
Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Department Deputies spotted the stolen pickup and began a chase that ended when Herrera crashed into a tree.
Herrera was taken into custody in the Rio Arriba County Detention Center.
(Information from ElPasoProud.com)
