Bernalillo County Deputies Investigate Double Homicide at Albuquerque Auto Parts Store
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is investigating a tragic double homicide that unfolded Sunday evening at an O’Reilly Auto Parts store in southwest Albuquerque, leaving two employees dead and a community shaken.
At approximately 5:12 p.m. on September 14, 2025, deputies responded to reports of gunfire at the O’Reilly Auto Parts located at 2712 Sunshine West Plaza Drive SW. Upon arrival, deputies discovered two male victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
One of the employees, later identified as 47-year-old Richard Newman, was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim, 18-year-old Jesus Valdez, was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival, according to authorities.
Both men were described as hardworking employees and valued members of the store’s team. Their sudden and violent deaths have sent shockwaves through the local community, where customers and colleagues are mourning the loss of two lives taken far too soon.
Following an immediate search of the surrounding area, deputies located and detained a suspect identified as 27-year-old Ismael Rene Tena. Authorities confirmed that Tena has since been charged with two open counts of murder. Investigators have not yet released details about a possible motive, nor whether there was any prior connection between the suspect and the victims.
The Homicide and Crime Scene Investigations units with BCSO were dispatched to the scene and have since taken over the investigation. Deputies spent hours processing evidence at the auto parts store while ensuring the area was secure.
Sheriff’s officials emphasized that while a suspect is in custody, the case remains an active and ongoing investigation. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and working to reconstruct the events that led to the shooting. Additional updates will be released as the case develops.
The incident has left employees of the O’Reilly Auto Parts chain, along with family members of the victims, grappling with unimaginable grief. Friends described Richard Newman as a dedicated worker and a family man, while those who knew Jesus Valdez said the teenager was just beginning his adult life with promise and optimism.
Community leaders have also expressed sorrow, underscoring the tragic impact of gun violence in Albuquerque and beyond. Calls for unity, compassion, and justice have spread across social media, with many offering prayers and condolences to the victims’ families.
As the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office continues its work, the broader community is left to mourn the loss of two lives and to support one another in the face of tragedy.
