New Mexico State Police investigate homicide in El Prado

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Written by Officer Ray Wilson 04/05/2022

Taos County, NM – On March 31, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was requested to investigate a homicide in El Prado, NM.

Agents learned that on March 31 at around 7:45 p.m., New Mexico State Police uniformed officers were called to 45 Straight Arrow Road in El Prado where Cleofas Dominguez-Armendariz, 55, had been shot and killed by Manuel G. Gamez-Lozoya, 38. Both men were from El Prado.

Additionally, investigators found out there had been a dispute between the two men. On the evening of the incident, Cleofas drove to Manuel’s residence on Straight Arrow Road. During the encounter, Manuel shot Cleofas several times. It appears, that as Cleofas lay wounded on the ground, Manuel fired an additional shot striking Cleofas’ head at close range.

Manuel fled the area in his vehicle, he later turned himself in to officers in Santa Fe, NM. He was arrested and booked into the Santa Fe County Detention Center charged with Murder in the First Degree, Tampering with Evidence (3 counts), and Conspiracy (2 counts).

This case is under investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau.