ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO — Sheriff’s investigators combed through what one called a “horrific” crime scene Sunday after the shooting deaths of five people, three of them children, at a home outside Albuquerque, New Mexico.
A well-known local pastor and four of his relatives were among the victims, according to those who knew him.
Each victim was shot multiple times, said Lt. Sid Covington of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department, and one of the weapons used was what he described as an assault rifle. Sheriff Dan Houston said a 15-year-old boy, who “may be a family member wearing all black contact lenses,” was charged with two counts of murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death.
“Initially responding deputies entered the home and found the five deceased inside the residence, so obviously it was a very gruesome scene,” Covington told reporters.
There was no indication of a motive so far, he said.
“It’s a large crime scene with a lot of physical evidence, and because there’s an offender in custody, we’re doing our best to be thorough and complete in gathering any potential evidence, and so we’re going slowly, methodically, through the entire residence,” Covington told CNN.
Investigators said the dead included a man, a woman and three grade-school-age children — two girls and a boy.
They did not release the names of the victims, saying the process of formally identifying the remains was still going on, but they said the home belongs to Greg and Sarah Griego. Greg Griego was the chaplain for the Albuquerque Fire Department and involved in several prison ministries.
“Chaplain Griego was a dedicated professional that passionately served his fellow man and the firefighters of this community,” read a statement from Fire Chief James Breen. “His calming spirit and gentle nature will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Greg’s extended family.”
Griego was also a former pastor at Calvary Church, where the family still attended services, church member Brian Nixon told CNN affiliate KOAT.
Griego’s brother, former state Sen. Eric Griego, issued a statement saying, “Our family is grieving this terrible tragedy. We appreciate the prayers and support we have received and request that the media honor our family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
The family lived in a large home at the end of a street on the southwestern edge of Albuquerque. Neighbor Terry Wootan described it as a semi-rural area with farms and residences.
“It’s a very quiet, decent neighborhood,” Wootan told CNN.
But I woke up at 5:30 this morning to floodlights and crime investigation vehicles, and it’s just not something you think you’re going to wake up to.”
The sheriff said deputies were dispatched to the home around 9:15 p.m. Saturday. They were summoned by “a party that was called by the suspect,” he said, but “I don’t know what the dynamics of that relationship is.”
He said investigators are unaware of any criminal history with the teen and were looking into whether any family members had a record. The boy is being charged as a juvenile, but prosecutors could charge him as an adult, Covington said.
13 Comments to “Police: Teen Who Killed Family Wanted to Kill More”
January 20, 2013 at 8:39 PM
So terrible,…He's probably mentally ill or been desensitized by HOURS of playing Bloody realistic video games .Wonder WHO ( as if alive) they will blame this time the gun ,magazine, bullet or the California super size CLIP.I'm leaning towards the evil (really a semi auto) assault Rifle.
January 21, 2013 at 12:02 AM
Mentally disturbed teenager + access to firearms = multiple homicide.
Having guns in their house didn’t protect this family – it killed them.
January 21, 2013 at 4:21 PM
Wonder why obama hasn't gone after the hip-hop crowd, there's a hell of alota murders by guns in that fad…….theres more negroes murdered in 1 week in this country,than in 10 years of random rage killings in all of america!…….i guess he just expects that from negroes!……….
January 21, 2013 at 11:56 PM
Too late he has, the FBI is going after the fans of the Insane Clown Posse (Juggalos) labeling them as a gang.
Not that it pertains to this case, just FYI.
January 21, 2013 at 6:12 PM
Looks like we need to worry about the White Kids instead of Blacks. Black crimes are usually against other criminals….. White Crimes…. Well lets see….. Innocent kids, and their parents… There is something wrong in the suburbs!
January 21, 2013 at 9:12 PM
Y'all are racists! @Mark "negroes"??? really @joe buck we need to focus on all crimes
January 21, 2013 at 10:01 PM
negros"??? ya REALLY, You Know another name fo Colored ,African American, Niggas, Niggers,Nigas,(Still With me) Black, Spooks Ect.
January 22, 2013 at 3:35 AM
I hope the internet you are stealing in your mobile home gets turned off. You are a disgrace to humans.
January 22, 2013 at 3:36 AM
Racist!! They are not colored, nobody took a f*cking coloring crayon to them! They are not AFRICAN American, they are AMERICAN!! They are not negros, negroes(pretty sure you got that spelling out of your a$$), niggas, niggers, nigas(still with me?!), spooks, coons, etc….they prefer the term Black! Why!? Because they are black! Just like I go by white, because I am white, not cracker, not Casper, etc….(still with me Mark, or did I loose you at 'you're a pos racist that doesn't deserve to share the same air as any decent human being'?, yes Mark, that includes Black, Mexican, Asian, Indian, and Middle Eastern ppl too! They are all just as human as the next White person!) btw, mighty big of you to post you ignorance around MLK's b-day….way to stick it to the Black man….you are such a coward, and you and ppl like you really make me sick to my stomach….it's a good thing you hide behind your computer! What little nut sac you have is a lot safer there! Wouldn't want anyone to punch or kick you there now would we!?
January 22, 2013 at 3:39 AM
*your ignorance…
January 22, 2013 at 5:13 AM
uptil I looked at the check which was of $4584, I be certain that my brothers friend woz like they say actualy bringing home money part time from there pretty old laptop.. there moms best frend haz done this for only about 10 months and resantly took care of the dept on there home and bourt a great new Acura. I went here, http://xurl.es/uqnzx
February 7, 2013 at 4:08 PM
This is incredibly sad. My heart goes out to the families