Suspect wanted in Hobbs teen's murder surrenders after five days
HOBBS, New Mexico (KMID/KPEJ) – The man wanted in connection with a deadly Hobbs shooting that took the life of a teenager has turned himself in.
According to the Hobbs Police Department, 20-year-old Michael Alonzo Wynne Garcia surrendered to authorities on the night of June 11, 2025. He was arrested by the Lea County Sheriff's Office in Lovington, New Mexico, and booked into the Lea County Detention Center.
Garcia was wanted for murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer stemming from a June 6 shooting that left 19-year-old Ismael Rios, of Hobbs, dead and another person injured.
Police said the shooting happened in the 800 block of East Lincoln. Officers responding to the scene found two people with gunshot wounds. One victim was flown to a hospital for treatment and has since been released. Rios, however, died from his injuries.
Shortly after the shooting, Garcia was briefly spotted in a red Toyota Camry but reportedly fled from officers as they approached.
Investigators credited the public with aiding in the search, saying community members played a vital role in sharing information and reporting tips about Garcia's whereabouts.
No further information is available at this time.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
Knife-wielding illegal migrant who threatened to slit throat of US Attorney had previous busts for threatening someone, DWI
The knife-wielding illegal immigrant who allegedly chased down a US Attorney in New York while threatening to slit his throat had previous busts for threatening another person and driving while intoxicated, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Saul Morales-Garcia — an illegal migrant from El Salvador who was previously deported and snuck back into the country illegally — had already racked up an unsettling rap sheet before he allegedly threatened John Sarcone, the President Trump-appointed US attorney for the Northern District of New York, outside the Hilton Hotel in Albany Tuesday night. 3 Mugshot of Saul Morales-Garcia. Albany County Sheriff's Office 'The alien in question illegally entered our country twice, was deported, returned, and has since been committing crimes across the country,' Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement Friday. Morales-Garcia, 40, was previously collared in 2009 in Arlington, Virginia, and convicted of misdemeanor petit larceny and sentenced to 12 months in prison, according to DHS. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents then nabbed Morales-Garcia in 2010 and he was deported shortly thereafter. But the criminal migrant snuck his way back in sometime between April 21, 2010 and Dec. 10, 2021, DHS said. 3 U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York John A. Sarcone III was appointed by the Trump administration. Houston Chronicle via Getty Images He then turned up in Georgia in 2021, when he was arrested and charged with a DWI. A couple of years later, in 2023, Morales-Garcia was picked up by the US Parks Police and charged with disorderly conduct for physically threatening, being drunk in public and possession of an open container, according to DHS. He was arrested again in 2024 by cops in Upper Merion, Pennsylvania, and charged with misdemeanor retail theft. 3 The illegal immigrant allegedly lunged at the US Attorney with a knife. Albany County Sheriff's Office His lawless streak continued, and he was collared this week after he allegedly chased Sarcone down the street outside his Albany hotel just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday, WNYT reported, citing Albany County prosecutors. Morales-Garcia charged at the US attorney while clutching a blade and gesturing that he would slit his throat. Sarcone was uninjured and Morales-Garcia was picked up by Albany County sheriff's deputies just moments after the frightening alleged attack, according to local cops. Morales-Garcia was charged with attempted second-degree murder and is being held without bail, the Albany Times Union reported. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Investigations is also seeking to charge Morales-Garcia with illegal re-entry into the US, which could accelerate his second deportation. ICE has also lodged a detainer to take him into federal custody, DHS said. Morales-Garcia 'should have never been in our country in the first place—and now, he will face attempted murder in the second-degree charges and removal,' McLaughlin said in the Friday statement. 'Make no mistake: Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is focused on removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from Americans' communities,' she added. The alleged attempted slasher was also previously convicted of a felony in El Salvador, WNYT reported, citing investigators. Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Sarcone to the Northern District of New York in March. The Pace University graduate is a native New Yorker with a 'humble, blue-collar background,' who was raised in Croton-on-Hudson, Sarcone said in a statement after his appointment.


New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
US Attorney for NY John Sarcone chased by knife-wielding illegal Salvadoran migrant who threatened to slit his throat: prosecutors
A US Attorney for New York was allegedly chased by a knife-wielding illegal immigrant with a lengthy criminal record who threatened to slit his throat on the streets of Albany Tuesday night, prosecutors said. John Sarcone, the Trump-appointed US Attorney for the Northern District of New York, was allegedly chased and threatened outside the Hilton Hotel in Albany by Saul Morales-Garcia — an illegal migrant from El Salvador who was previously deported, WNYT reported, citing Albany County prosecutors. 3 US Attorney for the Northern District John Sarcone was threatened by a knife-wielding illegal migrant in Albany on Tuesday. Houston Chronicle via Getty Images Advertisement Morales-Garcia, 40, allegedly aggressively advanced toward Sarcone with his weapon in hand — gesturing that he would slit the attorney's throat as he lunged at him before chasing the US attorney down the street outside the hotel just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, that report stated citing local police. Sarcone was uninjured, and nearby Albany County sheriff's deputies picked up Morales-Garcia just moments after the alleged attack, according to local cops. The alleged attempted slasher was previously convicted of a felony in El Salvador and has been deported from the United States at least once in the past, WNYT reported, citing investigators. Advertisement 3 The knife allegedly used in Tuesday night's incident. Albany County Sheriff's Office Albany County prosecutors said the incident appeared to be a 'random' street encounter. Morales-Garcia is currently in the country illegally and has a criminal record in at least three other states outside of New York, prosecutors said. It is not known when Morales-Garcia entered the US or where he allegedly crossed into the country. Advertisement 3 Saul Morales-Garcia, 40, was charged with attempted second-degree murder accused after allegedly threatening to slit the throat of US Attorney John Sarcone. Albany County Sheriff's Office He is charged with attempted second-degree murder and is being held without bail, the Albany Times Union reported. 'It's important that everybody understands that we take these things seriously — whether you're the US Attorney for the Northern District or your name's John Smith and you live on Morton Avenue,' Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon said after the court hearings, the outlet reported. Advertisement US Attorney Sarcone was appointed to the Northern District of New York in March by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The Pace University graduate is a native New Yorker, growing up in a 'humble, blue-collar background' in Croton-on-Hudson, Sarcone said in a statement at the time. The Northern District of New York declined to provide a comment to The Post. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


New York Post
5 days ago
- New York Post
Teen girl killed when boozed up wrong-way driver launches overturned car into tree on Long Island: cops
A boozed-up wrong-way driver flipped his car and slammed into a tree on Long Island Sunday night, killing a 19-year-old woman and injuring six other passengers, authorities said. Luis Gonzalo Barrionuevo-Fuertes, a former East Hampton High School graduate, was allegedly behind the wheel of a Toyota Camry while driving in the wrong direction on Old Stone Highway in East Hampton when he swerved to avoid slamming into another car around 7:30 p.m. The car overturned and struck a tree, killing 19-year-old passenger Scarleth Urgiles, East Hampton police said. The alleged drunk driver was in court Tuesday. NBC New York The East Hampton High School student was pronounced dead at the scene. Another six passengers whose ages ranged between 15 and 19 and were locals were rushed to nearby hospitals with injuries. East Hampton High School principal Sara Smith called the crash a 'profound tragedy' and noted Urgiles and other passengers attended the school. 'There are no words that can fully express the sorrow we feel for the family, friends, and all those impacted by this heartbreaking loss,' she said in a message to the school community. 'During times like these, we are reminded of how strong and united the East Hampton community truly is.' Barrionuevo-Fuertes, of Moriches, was arrested at the scene and is facing aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child passenger less than 16, driving while intoxicated and endangering the welfare of a child charges. His lawyer, Melissa Aguanno, told The Post she anticipates the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office will go forward with upgraded charges at some point. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. gofundme He was in custody Tuesday night after a judge put bail for hundreds of thousands of dollars in court Monday. 'I think he's in shock at this point, he's 18 years old,' Aguanno said. 'He's still really a kid so I don't know if he fully grasps everything happening at this point.' Not everyone in the car were friends or knew each other, the lawyer said. 'For everyone involved it's a tragedy and my client and his family are devastated at the loss of any life,' she added. 'It's gonna be bad for everyone. This is like a traumatic experience that every single one of these kids will live with for the rest of their lives.' Before the crash, Barrionuevo-Fuertes wanted to join the Army or the Marines and took tests in hopes of serving the country, Aguanno said. Urgiles also had dreams of serving in the Army, according to a fundraising page started by loved ones. 'She always thought that her courage and determination would help others,' the fundraiser stated. 'Her dream was to buy a house for her mother and be able to take care of and provide for her mother and brother what they deserved. She tirelessly volunteered, taught, pursued, and creatively made a difference in the world.'