PERALTA–New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested by the Bosque Farms Police Department to investigate a shooting in Peralta on Sunday, Dec. 19.
Brandon Mendoza
James Mendoza
Vanessa Mendoza
Maria Carter
Bosque Farms officers were called to 6 Guadalupe in Peralta at about 12:19 p.m. Sunday for a report of shots fired and a vehicle crash at the residence. When officers arrived, they located a silver pickup truck that had crashed into a tree, and a deceased woman, identified as 29-year-old Rodlyn Pierce, of Bosque Farms, lying on the ground next to the vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound.
Through investigation and interviews, it was learned a man, identified as the suspect, Brandon Mendoza, 22, and his sister, Vanessa Mendoza, 19, both of Albuquerque drove to the residence. For reasons still under investigation, Brandon allegedly fired his weapon at Pierce.
After the shooting, agents learned both Brandon and Vanessa fled the scene in a white Toyota Corolla towards Albuquerque. Police later located and seized the vehicle at the home of Maria Carter, 45, and Vanessa Mendoza.
On Monday, Dec. 20, an arrest warrant was issued through the Valencia County Magistrate Court for Brandon Mendoza and Vanessa Mendoza. An arrest warrant was also issued for Maria Carter on Dec. 20, through the Bernalillo County Metro Court in Albuquerque.
Brandon Mendoza is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Vanessa Mendoza and Maria Carter are both charged with conspiracy and tampering with evidence.
Vanessa Mendoza and Maria Carter were both arrested on Monday without incident and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque.
James Mendoza has outstanding arrest warrants for felon in possession of a firearm, battery on a household member (great bodily injury) and resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer. He is a person of interest in the homicide investigation and is the father of Brandon Mendoza.
New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau with assistance from the New Mexico State Police Tactical Team located and arrested Brandon Mendoza, and his father, James Mendoza, without incident at a residence off New Mexico Highway 337 in Tijeras at about 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 21. Both Brandon and James were transported and booked into the Metro Detention Center.
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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April 19, 2024
