Wanted Murder Suspect Arrested in Gallup

Saturday, Oct.9, 2021

ALBUQUERQUE – APD detectives tracked down a wanted murder suspect to Gallup, where police arrested him late Friday.

Gallup police arrested Xavier Marquez, 22, with assistance from the New Mexico State Police. Marquez was wanted on a homicide warrant for the Sept. 22, 2021, fatal shooting of Shawn Lynch in Southeast Albuquerque.

APD homicide detectives are also investigating Marquez’s involvement in a second homicide that occurred June 22, 2021, at a West Side hotel. Daniel Bustos, 34, was fatally shot in that incident.

In the September incident, APD detectives allege Marquez, 22, was sitting in a vehicle in front of his house at 434 Kentucky St. S.E. when Lynch walked by with his service dog. After an exchange of words, Marquez shot Lynch’s dog. Witnesses said Lynch began to argue with Marquez, who then shot Lynch in the head.

Lynch was critically wounded, and he died late Monday, Sept. 27, 2021.

Following an investigation, homicide detectives got approval for an arrest warrant for Marquez, alleging Marquez shot the dog and then Lynch before changing clothes and fleeing on a scooter or moped.

Marquez is charged with an open count of murder, shooting at an occupied dwelling, and extreme cruelty to animals.