Albuquerque Road Rage Shooting: Two Arrested for Fatal Incident

POLICY WIRE — Albuquerque, New Mexico — Law enforcement officials have apprehended two individuals in connection with a deadly road rage shooting that claimed the life of a young man in his own front yard.

The arrests of Rory Horowitz and Ellyssa Salazar occurred Wednesday in El Paso, Texas, related to the shooting death of Roberto Carlos Pineda Arriaza. The 21-year-old victim tragically succumbed to a head wound on Tuesday evening, just three days after being struck by a stray bullet during an intense road rage confrontation in which authorities state he was not involved.

Tragic Incident Details

On Saturday evening, Arriaza was showcasing his newly acquired motorcycle to a friend when two vehicles, identified as a BMW and a Mitsubishi, unexpectedly pulled up, engaged in a heated road rage dispute. Investigations indicate that at least one occupant from each vehicle discharged firearms, with one of these bullets fatally striking Arriaza.

Emergency responders discovered the victim around 6:53 p.m. that day. He was immediately transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where he later passed away from his injuries.

Investigation and Apprehensions

Detectives meticulously pieced together the sequence of events using crucial witness statements, AirTag data, and other forensic evidence. This evidence led them to identify Salazar as the owner and driver of the Mitsubishi, while Horowitz was pinpointed as an individual who fired shots from one of the vehicles.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) collaborated closely with several agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service, the El Paso Police Department, and various Texas law enforcement bodies. Their combined efforts successfully tracked the suspects to a residence in El Paso, leading to their arrest on Wednesday.

Charges Filed Against Suspects

• Rory Horowitz faces a multitude of serious charges, including an open count of murder. He is also charged with seven counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of shooting at or from a motor vehicle, and one count of aggravated battery resulting in great bodily harm.
• Ellyssa Salazar faces charges that include tampering with evidence and harboring a fugitive.

Separately, Albuquerque police have also arrested an individual linked to the second suspected vehicle (the BMW). While the identity of this suspect has not been publicly released by BCSO, they face charges of aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer and reckless driving. However, investigators have not yet found evidence suggesting this third suspect discharged any firearms.

The investigation remains highly active and ongoing. Authorities are still actively searching for the Mitsubishi vehicle involved in the incident. Additional charges may be brought forth as detectives continue to recover and analyze evidence. Anyone with pertinent information is urged to contact BCSO directly or submit anonymous tips via Tip411.