APD arrests wanted murder suspect

ALBUQUERQUE – APD detectives arrested murder suspect Isaich Lujan Tuesday evening after a four-month search.

Lujan was wanted for the April 15, 2023, murder of Nathan Barela at the Comanche Wells Apartments, located at 3400 Comanche Rd., N.E. Detectives accused Lujan of fatally shooting Barela, who sent an “inappropriate” text message to a woman Lujan was dating.

Officers and detectives learned from Lujan’s girlfriend that she received an “inappropriate” picture from Barela, someone she previously knew. The picture was texted while the girlfriend was with Lujan. Lujan used her phone to send text messages back to Barela, who indicated he was on his way to the apartment complex.

The woman met with the Barela and got into his vehicle in the parking lot of the apartment complex. After a few minutes, Lujan approached the vehicle from the passenger’s side reached through the half-open window, and fired a handgun, striking Barela who was in the driver’s seat.

Detectives recovered a bullet casing that matches the caliber of firearm the woman said Lujan used.

Lujan was booked into the Metro Detention Center on his warrant for an open count of murder and tampering with evidence.

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