Algodones Man Charged with Murder in Alleged Retaliatory Shooting
Elijah Sandoval, 47, of Algodones, New Mexico, is charged with second-degree murder and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico. The charges were announced on August 25, 2026, and the case remains pending.
3 reports on this incident · first at Aug 25, 2026, 6:59 p.m. ET
Earlier reports
Aug 25, 2026, 7:05 p.m. ET
Algodones Man Charged with Murder in Alleged Retaliatory Shooting
On August 25, 2026, federal prosecutors charged Elijah Sandoval, 47, of Algodones, New Mexico, with second degree murder and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, according to a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. The charges stem from the August 15, 2026, shooting death of a man found in the back seat of his vehicle at a residence in Algodones. An autopsy determined the victim died from a shotgun wound to the torso fired at close range, the complaint states.
Investigators allege Sandoval, an enrolled member of the San Felipe Pueblo, shot the victim in what they believe was retaliation for the victim's prior killing of a San Felipe Pueblo woman in 2008. Court documents say a witness told investigators that Sandoval referenced the woman's son immediately before the shooting. The victim had previously admitted to the killing and was convicted and sentenced to federal prison for that offense.
Sandoval remains in custody pending a detention hearing, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison. The FBI's Albuquerque Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Burkhead is prosecuting. The case is at the charging stage and has not been decided by a court. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Aug 25, 2026, 6:59 p.m. ETFirst report
Algodones Man Charged with Murder in Alleged Retaliatory Shooting
An Algodones man is facing federal charges for allegedly shooting and killing another man in what investigators believe was retaliation for the victim’s prior killing of a San Felipe Pueblo woman, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. The matter is at the charging stage and has not been resolved; no determination of guilt has been made.
On August 15, 2026, federal law enforcement officers responded to a report of a shooting at a residence in Algodones, New Mexico, and found the victim, an enrolled member of the San Felipe Pueblo, deceased in the back seat of his vehicle. An autopsy determined the victim died from a shotgun wound to the torso fired at close range.
Investigators determined that Elijah Sandoval, 47, an enrolled member of the San Felipe Pueblo, was at the residence with the victim and two other men when Sandoval allegedly approached the victim with a shotgun and shot him. Investigators believe the shooting was motivated by the victim’s prior killing of a San Felipe Pueblo woman in 2008. According to court documents, one witness told investigators that Sandoval referenced the woman’s son immediately before shooting the victim. The victim had previously admitted to killing the woman and was convicted and sentenced to federal prison for that offense.
Sandoval is charged with second degree murder and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. He will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Sandoval faces up to life in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement on August 25, 2026. The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Burkhead is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The case is pending, and no determination of guilt has been made.
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