A confrontation at a Blake’s Lotaburger parking lot on Rio Grande Boulevard near Interstate 40 in Albuquerque ended in gunfire and the death of 46-year-old Edward Nicholas. The confrontation began on June 26, 2025, when Nicholas and a restaurant employee, 21-year-old Christian Elycio, argued late on a Thursday night. After they separated, witnesses say the restaurant manager — who is Elycio’s uncle — went outside to tell Nicholas to leave and then said he saw Nicholas reaching into a backpack.

Surveillance video shows Nicholas beginning to walk away as Elycio came out of the restaurant and fired multiple times. Nicholas collapsed, and Elycio reportedly moved closer and fired additional rounds; the medical examiner found 10 gunshot wounds. Albuquerque Police homicide detectives identified Elycio as the suspect; he was arrested and booked on an open count of murder. The investigation is ongoing.

If anyone witnessed the confrontation or has information about what led to the shooting, please share tips with Albuquerque Police.