Police say the shooting followed brake-checking and a traffic dispute on San Mateo Boulevard.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A 31-year-old Albuquerque man will remain jailed before trial after police said he shot and killed a 19-year-old driver during a road rage encounter on San Mateo Boulevard in March.
Cecilio Sanchez Lopez is charged in the death of Roman Valenciano, who police said was driving to pick up his mother after work when the confrontation began. The case has drawn attention because investigators said surveillance video, license plate readers, cellphone records and vehicle evidence tied Lopez to the shooting. Prosecutors argued Lopez was too dangerous to release, and a judge ordered him held until trial.
The shooting happened March 26, around 1:45 p.m., near San Mateo Boulevard and Phoenix Road in northeast Albuquerque. Police said a silver Ford Mustang made a U-turn and pulled into the path of Valenciano’s gray Nissan Sentra. Investigators said the Mustang then repeatedly brake-checked the Sentra and stopped in the road as both vehicles traveled south. As the cars neared Tully’s restaurant at 1425 San Mateo Blvd. NE, police said the Mustang pulled beside Valenciano’s car and gunfire followed. A ShotSpotter alert recorded two rounds around 1:48 p.m.
Police said one bullet struck Valenciano in the face and another went through the driver’s side rear window. His car slowed to a stop in traffic, and officers later found him slumped in the driver’s seat. Valenciano was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said the Mustang left the area, then returned several times as police worked at the scene. Officers later used license plate reader data and surveillance footage to track the vehicle to Lopez, who was identified as a person of interest.
Detectives said cellphone data placed Lopez’s device near the shooting when it happened. Investigators also said the Mustang, first seen as silver, was later found painted black. Police said the car still had the same wheels, spoiler, rear window louvers and license plate, which helped detectives identify it. SWAT officers arrested Lopez at a North Valley home the next day. He was charged with an open count of murder, shooting at or from a motor vehicle resulting in death, tampering with evidence and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Valenciano’s mother, Deborah Valenciano, told local reporters her son loved cooking, art, music, video games and animation. “But most of all, he provided for his family,” she said. She said a detective told her after the shooting that her son was dead, and she struggled to accept the news. A memorial later grew along San Mateo Boulevard, where family and friends gathered to remember him.
Court records cited by local reports show Lopez had a prior criminal history and was on probation when the shooting occurred. Prosecutors said that history, along with the new allegations, showed he should remain in custody. Lopez’s defense argued another hold was not needed because he was already being held on a probation violation. Judge Cindy Leos sided with prosecutors and ordered Lopez jailed pending trial.
The criminal case remains pending, and the charges are allegations. Lopez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The next major step is the continued prosecution of the murder case in district court.