APD arrests 2nd suspect from 2022 murder

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

ALBUQUERQUE – APD detectives arrested Maria Acosta who was wanted for the August 2022 murder of David Salazar.

Acosta was charged along with her boyfriend, Derrik Bonner, 29, in connection with the murder of Salazar, her ex-boyfriend. APD’s SWAT officers took Bonner into custody in September.

On Aug. 7, 2022, officers responded to a shooting at the Copper Ridge Apartment at 557 Tramway Blvd. N.E. When they arrived, they located David Salazar 60, deceased from a gunshot wound. Officers noticed damage to the front door of the apartment and a shotgun casing inside the residence.

Witnesses told homicide detectives the door to the apartment was kicked in, and three individuals entered and got into an altercation with Salazar over items belonging to Acosta.

Shortly after, a gunshot was heard. Through investigation, detectives determined Bonner fired the weapon, killing Salazar.

Acosta was arrested Monday and booked into the Metro Detention Center on charges of First Degree Murder, two counts of Aggravated Burglary with a deadly weapon, and two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Burglary with a deadly weapon.

Derrick Bonner was charged with an Open Count of Murder and Aggravated Burglary. Acosta was indicted on Sept. 26, 2022, on charges of: First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder and Voluntary Manslaughter.

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