ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Four adults who are facing charges in connection to the shooting death of a 2-year-old in Albuquerque are being released until trial, a judge ruled Thursday.
Amillia Garcia, 20, who is the mother of the young boy, and three other individuals, 24-year-old Angelica Lucero, 25-year-old Angel Cordova, and 22-year-old Angel Morales, were all inside an apartment on Buena Vista near Gibson Sunday when the shooting happened.
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Garcia told detectives she was in another room when she heard a loud bang. She went into the living room and discovered her son with a gunshot wound. A handgun with an extended magazine was near his body, police said.
Garcia said the handgun belonged to her and that she left the gun in a handbag on the couch in the living room. She said she purchased it on the “streets” for protection because of prior domestic disputes with a family member.
According to court documents, police believe Lucero told Cordova and Morales to leave with the gun.
Police said Cordova later returned to the apartment with a bag that contained two firearms, including the gun believed to have been discharged, police said. On Monday, APD Chief Harold Medina said a total of six firearms were recovered from the scene.
Garcia is charged with child abuse resulting in death and tampering with evidence. She also could be charged under Bennie’s Law for not safely securing her gun.
Lucero is charged with tampering with evidence; Cordova is charged with tampering with evidence and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Medina said ATF is taking over Cordova’s case, and he will be federally charged.
Morales is charged with two counts of tampering with evidence.
Judge Bruce Fox released the individuals under the supervision of pretrial services