Belen police officers recognized for efforts following shooting

BELEN — A Hub City couple who was recently the victims of a violent crime helped recognize the police officers who responded and investigated the incident.

Belen Police Chief James Harris told the city council Monday, “Every now and again, bad things happen to very good people, and some of the bad things can have long-lasting effects — both mentally and physically.”

The police chief said on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 18, a group of people were attempting to steal a truck from the Garcia family, who live on 15th Street and Reinken Avenue.

“While they were attempting to steal the truck, Mr. (Jesse) Garcia came out of his residence and caught them in the act …,” Harris said. “He ordered them off of his property and they immediately opened fire on him.”

While the two men, later identified as Caleb Tenorio, 35, of Belen, and Cesar Gonzales, 30, of Veguita, continued to shoot, Garcia made the decision to defend himself.

“Mr. Garcia had enough fortitude to note that these individuals were very dangerous,” the police chief said. “He had his weapon with him, and was able to return fire.”

Harris said the situation became “very desperate and very serious very quickly.” The police chief said Tenorio and Gonzales fired about 45 rounds in less than 50 seconds.

“They shot up Mr. Garcia’s vehicle, his home and the neighbor’s home,” said Harris. Additional rounds were found in the shed at Our Lady of Belen’s Memorial Gardens across the street.

When the officers arrived, just after midnight on Sunday, Feb. 19, they secured the  scene and immediately contacted detectives.

“On Feb. 19, 2023, the sanctity of our safety, our peace and really our innocence were violently broken,” said Kelly Garcia. “We are still trying to understand how we were not killed.”

She described when the officers arrived at her home that night, it felt like “a miracle.” She said the officers and detectives took control of the scene with professionalism and precision.

“They handled us with care, compassion and grace,” she said. “Officer Filmore was tasked with taking care of us while the scene at our home was being processed.”

Garcia said it was a tall order, because she was a “roller coaster,” while her husband was the “picture of calm.”

“He went above and beyond anyone could have ever hoped for in that situation,” she said.

She said if the police officers, including  the detectives and the chief, had handled the situation differently, she and her husband wouldn’t have made it through mentally or emotionally.

“This department … has our eternal gratitude and support. We would also like to thank you, the mayor, for your support of us and your support of this police department and continue to work building and strengthening this department because they’re amazing.”

During the meeting, Harris acknowledged five Belen police officers — Sgt. Mario Vallejos, Sgt. Jason Skopek, Detective Joe Rodriguez, and officers Andrew Filmore and Sarah Martinez  — and presented them each with an outstanding service award.

Vallejos was given a second award for his efforts to defuse a tense standoff on Feb. 21.

According to police, after the shooting on Feb. 18, Tenorio and Gonzales fled the scene after cutting the tow strap they had tied to the Garcia’s truck.

Rodriguez said he later found out the two men had been shot — Gonzales in the butt, and Tenorio in the shoulder. The detective found out Gonzales was being treated at Socorro General Hospital for a gunshot would.

“When I went to the hospital, Caleb was being treated, and I couldn’t really interview him,” Rodriguez said. “He had been taken to the hospital by his mother and father.

“His mom told me he told her he was shot in El Cerro at a party after he was talking to some girl,” Rodriguez said. “He told that same story to Socorro PD.”

The detective said Tenorio never sought treatment, and his fiance was able to manipulate the wound and extract the projectile.

It wasn’t until Gonzales was transferred to UNM Hospital in Albuquerque that Rodriguez was able to talk to him. The detective said Gonzales confessed to the crime and was taken into custody. Tenorio was arrested a day later at his parent’s house on Sixth Street in Belen.

Both Tenorio and Gonzales are charged with two counts of assault with the intent to commit a violent felony, a third-degree felony; unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, a fourth-degree felony; two counts of shooting at or from an occupied dwelling, a second-degree felony; and four counts of conspiracy.