ANTONITO — A New Mexico man who allegedly killed three members of his family and two strangers drove through Antonito at a high rate of speed Thursday, June 15.
Damian Herrera, 21, of La Madera, N.M., is accused of killing five persons in a string of shootings across Taos and Rio Arriba counties in New Mexico.
Herrera’s mother, Maria “Brenda” Rosita Gallegos, age unavailable, died on life support several hours after sustaining a gunshot wound police allege was inflicted by her son.
Also dead are Herrera’s brother, Brendon Herrera, 20, and his step-father, Max Trujillo Sr., 55.
After fleeing the residence, the suspect allegedly shot two other men, retired archaeologist Michael Alan Kyte, in Tres Piedras and another man, Manuel Serrano, at a store in Abiquiú.
According to the Taos News, authorities believe Damian Herrera acted alone as he moved across multiple towns west of Taos allegedly shooting his victims.
The suspect was initially arraigned on four counts of first-degree murder Friday morning in Española Magistrate Court and is being held without bond. A fifth count was added following Gallegos’ death Friday afternoon.
After fleeing his family’s home, the suspect then hitched a ride with Kyte in the man’s Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
Upon their arrival at Kyte’s home in Tres Piedras, Herrera allegedly shot Kyte, who died of his injuries shortly thereafter, according to police reports.
From there, Herrera traveled north along U.S. 84 into Antonito, but apparently did not stop before speeding south through Chama, N.M., and into Abiquiú.
He stopped at Bode’s General Store along U.S. 84 just after 8 p.m., allegedly shot and killed Serrano, 59, then fled southbound along U.S. 84.
Herrera continued driving at a high rate of speed and lost control of the vehicle at a curve in the roadway.
He crossed over the median and nearly collided with a State Police Crisis Negotiation Team vehicle headed in the opposite direction.
The suspect then over corrected, crashing into a tree on the right-hand shoulder of the road around 8:30 p.m. and allegedly ran toward officers.
A deputy deployed a Taser at the suspect, who was then arrested.
The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau and the Río Arriba County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to handle homicide investigations at the locations where the alleged murders occurred.
State police are in charge of the investigation in Tres Piedras and Abiquiú, as well as the location along U.S. 84 where Herrera was taken into custody.
Damian Herrera had been a student at University of New Mexico, according to university officials.