Rio Arriba County, N.M. – New Mexico State Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal shooting at the Ohkay Owingeh Casino early Saturday morning.
On November 15, 2025, around 12:26 a.m., Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a man found with a gunshot wound in the casino parking lot. The victim, identified as 21-year-old Elias Tiberi, died at the scene.
Investigators say Tiberi and 21-year-old Gerald Trujillo were inside a vehicle consuming illegal narcotics when Trujillo began waving a firearm recklessly. Tiberi tried to push the weapon away, and it discharged, striking him. A third man ran to alert casino security.
Trujillo removed Tiberi from the vehicle and fled in a red Ford Mustang. Around 12:45 p.m., Trujillo turned himself in and was taken into custody without incident.
Gerald Trujillo faces:
- Second-Degree Murder
- Negligent Use of a Deadly Weapon
- Tampering with Evidence (2 counts)
The case remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau.
