Belen teenager shot in the mouth after party

Los Chavez

A Belen teenager is recovering at home after being shot in the mouth early Saturday after leaving a party.

Valencia County Sheriff’s Detective Rene Rivera said the 18-year-old, whose name is not being released in order to protect his identity, had just left a party at about 3 a.m. Saturday when the shooting occurred.

“While the victim and his friends were at the party on Ramon B. Chavez, a fight broke out,” Rivera said. “They decided to leave, and, as they drove away from the residence, a white-colored Isuzu Jeep followed them. Once they got to the pavement on Andres Sanchez Road, the white vehicle drove next to the driver’s side, and the occupants started shooting.”

Rivera said four gunshots were fired — three through the window of the victim’s gray 2000 Chevy Cavalier and one at the vehicle’s hood. The 18-year-old male driver was shot once in the mouth.

“The bullet went in through the left side of the victim’s upper lip, traveled through his mouth and came out on the right side of the upper lip,” Rivera explained. “He had severe damage to the roof of his mouth, and he lost several teeth. He was very lucky. It could have been a lot worse.”

Immediately after the shooting, the suspect’s vehicle, which had numerous occupants, left the scene. The victim and his two passengers also left the scene and went to Wal-Mart in Belen seeking help, Rivera said.

The detective said he wasn’t sure if the driver continued to drive his vehicle or if one of the two passengers drove to Wal-Mart. The victim was picked up from the Wal-Mart parking lot and was taken by ambulance to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque.

Later that morning, when detectives went to the house to investigate the shooting, Detective Clyde Joseph made contact with a man and a woman who reportedly ran from him. Rivera said he, Joseph and five other deputies chased the two for about two miles until Joseph apprehended them about a quarter mile east of Clover Lane.

“They were basically surrounded and gave up the chase,” Rivera said. “Right now, it’s unknown to us why they ran.”

Gabe Anderson, 22, and his 19-year-old sister, Margaret, both of Los Chavez were arrested and charged with evading and eluding a police officer. Rivera said they were the ones who threw the party the night before.

After the Andersons were arrested, detectives went back to the house, where they were advised a male subject was inside and was in need of medical assistance. Rivera said he found 22-year-old Vincent Gonzales in an upstairs bedroom with numerous cuts on his head and shoulder and a knee injury. He was transported to Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque and was later released.

“Apparently, he (Gonzales) had attempted to stop a fight, at which time, he stated, several suspects began to strike him with bottles,” Rivera said. “At this point, it’s not known if his assailants are the same suspects who we’re looking for in the shooting.”

Rivera said the case is currently under investigation, and it’s still not clear what provoked the fight between the 18-year-old gunshot victim and the suspects.

“I know there were about 20 people at the party that night, and I’m hoping someone will come forward and let us know what transpired that night,” Rivera said.

If anyone has any information regarding this case, call Detective Rene Rivera at 866-2405.