ROSWELL — The Roswell Police Department (RPD) has made an arrest in connection with a fatal shooting at a local Walmart on Saturday.
On Saturday around 10:20 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Walmart in the 4500 block of North Main Street in reference to an altercation between two men in which one fatally shot the other.
Police found the victim, identified as 19-year-old Steve Soltero, inside the store. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The gunman, identified as 18-year-old Joshua Ray Martinez, fled the store.
The RPD Criminal Investigation Division was able to review surveillance video from inside the store, which showed Soltero and his girlfriend walking near the checkout lane when Martinez began following them. When the couple turned to look at him, words were exchanged and they could be seen gesturing to each other from a distance.
As Martinez approached the couple, a shoving occurred and the woman attempted to punch him. Soltero then walked down a nearby walkway. Martinez followed, pulling a handgun from his backpack. He spotted Soltero behind a pallet of goods and opened fire.
Police said Martinez is a Walmart employee and was working a shift at the time of the shooting.
Responding law enforcement personnel (including RPD, Chaves County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State Police) evacuated the store and searched the building and the surrounding area, but were unable to locate Martinez.
A warrant for his arrest was issued and he was found and taken into custody at an apartment complex in the area of Southeast Main Street and Hobbs Street around 4:45 p.m. Monday.
Martinez is charged with first-degree murder and illegal possession of a handgun. He has not yet been charged.