Albuquerque mom charged after 10-year-old shoots teen neighbor

Elaina Gomez-Villeda, 40, was arrested Sunday in Albuquerque and charged with murder and five other offenses. The charges stem from a shooting on Oct. 31 in which her 10-year-old son killed 16-year-old Keinerlein Rangel.

Albuquerque police said the incident began with a physical altercation between Gomez-Villeda and Rangel’s mother over loud music. Police report that Gomez-Villeda told her son to retrieve a handgun during the fight. The boy returned to the scene and fired a single shot that struck and killed Rangel.

According to police records, Gomez-Villeda brought her son inside their home immediately after the shooting. She texted her husband, writing, "I’m probably going to jail right now," before calling 9-1-1 to report the incident. During the emergency call, a man believed to be Rangel’s father tried to open her door and broke a window. Gomez-Villeda then shot at the man to make him leave, according to a report from KRQE.

The Bernalillo County jail inmate website lists the full count of charges against Gomez-Villeda. In addition to murder, she faces conspiracy to commit murder, child abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, battery, and receiving a stolen firearm.

The 10-year-old boy is not currently facing charges. Detectives, the district attorney’s office, and state officials are reviewing the case to determine the appropriate legal action for a minor. The final decision on the boy’s status remains pending.

Gomez-Villeda remains in custody in Bernalillo County while prosecutors review the evidence and the minor’s case proceeds through the judicial system.