A 35-year-old man in New Mexico has been arrested for allegedly killing his girlfriend’s ex-husband by shooting the 45-year-old man who was working on her car at her home.
Eduardo Castaneda Jr. was arrested last week and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and three counts of child abuse in the death of Antonio Gomez, authorities said.
According to a news release from the New Mexico State Police, the Investigations Bureau was tasked with investigating a homicide that occurred at a residence in the 200 block of Espinoza Road in Ranchos De Taos.
At around 2:20 p.m., Taos County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a “shots-fired” call on Espinoza Road.
When first responders arrived at the address, they discovered an adult male — later identified as Gomez — “lying on the ground, unresponsive, outside the residence with at least one apparent gunshot wound.”
Police began performing life-saving procedures on Gomez before Emergency Medical Services arrived and transported him to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, Gomez died from his wounds shortly after arriving at the facility.
An adult female victim with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm was also discovered at the scene. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
According to investigators, the violence was the result of a domestic violence incident involving the female victim’s current and former partners.
“Agents later learned that the female, identified as Gomez’s ex-wife, picked Gomez up and brought him to her residence so he could assist with mechanical issues she was experiencing with her vehicle,” according to the statement. “The female’s new boyfriend and suspect, Eduardo Castaneda, was at work when he tried to contact her.
After not hearing back from the female, Castaneda went to her home. When he arrived, an altercation between Gomez and Castaneda began. During the altercation, Castaneda brandished a firearm and began firing at Gomez, striking both him and the female at least once.
According to authorities, Gonzalez’s children and the female victim were present at the home when the shooting occurred.
Court documents obtained by the Albuquerque Journal revealed additional information about the allegations.
After being detained, Castaneda reportedly claimed that Gomez was the aggressor who attacked him first. He claimed that he shot Gomez in self-defense, accidentally hitting his girlfriend, because he was trying to protect her and the children.
The female victim claimed that when Castaneda learned that his girlfriend had asked Gomez for assistance, he was furious, telling her, “He better not be there.” She claimed that just before shooting Gomez, Castaneda yelled, “Come get some,” and fired at least a dozen times.
According to police, Castaneda fled the scene after the shooting. An “extensive manhunt” ensued, and authorities were able to locate him at Taos Ceramic Center, located at 114 Este Es Road in Ranchos De Taos, around 10:30 p.m. that evening, where he was taken into custody without incident.
Castaneda is currently held without bond at the Taos County Detention Center and is scheduled to appear in court on July 31, 2025, according to records.
