NMSP News:
Feb. 20, 2026, at approximately 1:52 a.m., the New Mexico State Police (NMSP) Investigations Bureau investigated a homicide at 69 County Road C011 in Buena Vista, N.M.
Earlier that morning, at approximately 12:44 a.m., NMSP Dispatch received a call regarding 10 to 15 gunshots being heard in the area of 69 County Road C011, possibly coming from a white pickup truck.
Approximately 2 minutes later, Uniform Bureau officers were dispatched to 69 County Road C011 in reference to a male who had been shot. Officers arrived on scene and observed individuals performing CPR on the victim, later identified as Malik Richards, 30.
No firearm was located inside the room where Richards was found. Officers observed a defect in a blanket being used as a curtain directly in front of where Richards was seated, which appeared to come from the outside of the residence. Officers located a 5.56 caliber spent casing approximately 500 to 600 yards away from the residence.
NMSP agents learned that a possible suspect, Seth Gomez, 16, had fled the area after the shooting. Agents later learned Gomez was in Santa Rosa along with the alleged weapon used. He was located at a residence and taken into custody without further incident. A weapon matching the same caliber was also located and submitted into evidence.
After conducting numerous interviews, agents learned that Gomez and other juveniles were driving around the Buena Vista area in a vehicle and drinking alcohol. Multiple witness accounts and video evidence show Gomez firing the rifle outside of the truck, and Gomez later admitted in an interview that he fired the weapon.
Gomez was booked into a juvenile detention facility and is currently charged with the following:
- Second Degree Murder;
- Shooting At or From a Motor Vehicle (Death);
- Tampering with evidence X2; and
- Negligent Use of a Deadly Weapon (Intoxication).
This case remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau.