For Immediate Release
July 29, 2023
Questa, NM – On July 28, 2023, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate a homicide at the residence of William Brown at 104 Cabresto Road in Questa.
Investigations Bureau agents learned that on July 28, 2023, at around 2:30 p.m., four juveniles were hanging out at the residence listening to music. At some point, a 14-year-old male took out a pistol and pointed it at a 13-year-old female. The male pulled the trigger, fatally wounding the female. The male then dragged the female’s body outside and returned to the residence.
Shortly after the homicide, the father of the juvenile suspect, William Brown, 39, arrived at the residence and went inside. When officers arrived, the juvenile and Brown refused to come out of the residence for approximately 30 minutes.
The juvenile was arrested and charged with an Open Count of Murder in the First Degree, Tampering with Evidence (2 counts), and Assault on a Police Officer (2 counts). He was booked into the San Juan Juvenile Detention Center in Farmington.
William Brown, who owned the firearms inside the residence was arrested and charged with Negligent Making a Firearm Accessible to a Minor Resulting in Death. He was booked into the Taos County Detention Center.
Out of respect for the victim’s family, the New Mexico State Police will not release the name of the juvenile victim. We also will not release the name of the juvenile suspect via press release.
This incident is still being actively investigated by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau. Throughout the investigation, information will be shared with the appropriate district attorney’s office. Once complete the investigation will be turned over to the district attorney’s office.
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