On November 1, 2024, David Ruiz, a 46-year-old Hispanic man from Bayard, New Mexico, was found dead inside a home on North East Street after a reported shooting. Earlier that day a separate shooting on U.S. Highway 180 left a 54-year-old woman with non-life-threatening injuries; police say her boyfriend, 61-year-old Anthony Aveles, fled that scene.

Law enforcement say Aveles’ estranged wife contacted police and reported that her husband had killed her son-in-law, David Ruiz, providing officers with Aveles’ location. Officers later found Aveles at a Rogers Street residence armed with a handgun; he surrendered. In an interview with the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau, Aveles reportedly admitted to fatally shooting Ruiz and said Ruiz had been involved in a romantic relationship with Aveles’ girlfriend. Aveles has been arrested and booked on charges including first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, and shooting at a motor vehicle. The investigation remains active.

If anyone knew David Ruiz or has information about what happened on November 1 in Bayard, please come forward.