United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico
08/25/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/25/2026 12:51
Algodones Man Charged with Murder in Alleged Retaliatory Shooting
ALBUQUERQUE - An Algodones man is facing federal charges for allegedly shooting and killing another man in what investigators believe was retaliation for the victim's prior killing of a San Felipe Pueblo woman.
According to court documents, on August 15, 2026, federal law enforcement officers responded to a report of a shooting at a residence in Algodones, New Mexico. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, an enrolled member of the San Felipe Pueblo, deceased in the back seat of his vehicle. An autopsy determined the victim died from a shotgun wound to the torso fired at close range.
Investigators determined that Elijah Sandoval, 47, an enrolled member of the San Felipe Pueblo, was at the residence with the victim and two other men when Sandoval allegedly approached the victim with a shotgun and shot him.
Investigators believe the shooting was motivated by the victim's prior killing of a San Felipe Pueblo woman in 2008. According to court documents, one witness told investigators that Sandoval referenced the woman's son immediately before shooting the victim. The victim had previously admitted to killing the woman and was convicted and sentenced to federal prison for that offense.
Sandoval is charged with second degree murder and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. He will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Sandoval faces up to life in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Burkhead is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico published this content on August 25, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 25, 2026 at 18:52 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]