$55,000 for Information on 2007 Abiquiu Lake Shooting
In August 2007, a shooting occurred at Abiquiu Lake in New Mexico, resulting in the death of a 13-year-old boy and the injury of his father. Despite years of investigation, the case remained unsolved. In an effort to obtain new leads, the FBI announced in November 2012 that they would be offering a $55,000 reward for information on the case.
The Shooting
On August 28th, 2007, a father and son were camping at Abiquiu Lake in northern New Mexico. At approximately 10:30 PM, unknown perpetrators shot at their tent, killing the 13-year-old boy and injuring his father. The father was able to drive to a nearby ranger station to report the incident.
The Investigation
Despite years of investigation, the case remained unsolved. The FBI and local law enforcement agencies conducted an extensive investigation, including interviews and forensic analysis, but were unable to identify the perpetrators. The challenge in this case was compounded by the remote location of the crime, which limited potential witnesses and physical evidence.
The Reward
In November 2012, the FBI announced a $55,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the shooting. The hope is that this new incentive will encourage those with information about the case to come forward.
The Importance of Witnesses
The investigation into the Abiquiu Lake shooting illustrates the importance of witnesses in solving crimes. In this case, limited physical evidence made witness statements crucial to the investigation. However, the remote location and time of the shooting made it difficult to obtain this information. The reward being offered underscores the need for witnesses – those who were at the scene, nearby, or knew those involved – to contact law enforcement with any information they possess.
The Impact of Unsolved Crimes
Unsolved crimes can have a profound impact on the families of victims and the broader community. In the case of the Abiquiu Lake shooting, the family of the boy killed has been waiting for answers for over a decade. Additionally, the incident has left the community on edge, particularly since the perpetrators have not been apprehended. Offering a reward is one way for law enforcement to encourage those with information to come forward.
Conclusion
The shooting at Abiquiu Lake in 2007 resulted in the death of a 13-year-old boy and has remained unsolved for over a decade. The FBI’s decision to offer a $55,000 reward for information about the incident is a significant step in the investigation. It underscores the importance of witnesses in solving crimes and highlights the profound impact unsolved crimes can have on victims’ families and the broader community. It is hoped that the reward will encourage those with information about the case to come forward and help provide closure for those affected.
On November 30, 2012, the FBI announced it is offering $25,000 for information that leads to the arrests and conviction of the shooters. The Army Corps of Engineers is offering $30,000.
The crime occurred on December 1, 2007. Alfred J. Chavez, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park ranger, noticed a lock was tampered with at a pump house around Abiquiu Lake. Two men left as Chavez investigated the pump house, and two shots were fired at Chavez. One bullet went by his head, and the other bullet hit him above the knee. He survived, but both of the men fled and have not been discovered.
The suspects are described below:
The shooter is a Caucasian or Hispanic male in his early to mid-20s. He is about 5’6” tall and weighs about 140 pounds. His hair was black, and he has an obvious tattoo on the side of his neck.
The other suspect is a Caucasian or Hispanic male in his late teens to early 20s. He is about 5’8” and weighs about 200 pounds. He had a mustache and short light brown hair at the time of the crime. He has a colored tattoo on one or both forearms.
The suspects were seen leaving in a white, two-door 1990s model Ford F-250. The truck’s windows were tinted, and each door has a single step. The rims were chrome, and there was body damage to the tailgate on the passenger’s side.
If the public has any information about the suspects of the crime, they should call the Albuquerque FBI at 505-889-1300. The call center is open 24 hours a day.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation
