Faith Flores was a 14-year-old Hispanic girl from Chamisal, New Mexico, described by her family as adventurous, fearless and full of life. On the evening of July 25, 2024, she was riding a four-wheeler with 69-year-old Ruben Martinez when the group got into a confrontation with Ruben’s 76-year-old brother, Manuel Laurencio Martinez, at the Puertocito Road home in Chamisal.

The altercation escalated and both Ruben and Faith were shot. Police received two emergency calls around 8 p.m.; officers found Faith in the parking lot of a smoke shop on State Road 75 in Peñasco with multiple gunshot wounds and she died of those injuries. Ruben was found dead in the driveway at the Puertocito Road address from at least one gunshot wound.

At the Chamisal scene Manuel Martinez allegedly admitted his involvement and a revolver was recovered on the seat of his truck. He was arrested and charged; prosecutors later refiled charges and a grand jury indicted him on two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Ruben and Faith. Faith’s family held a candlelight vigil and her sister Ayesha said they want accountability.

Did anyone in the area see the four-wheeler or events on Puertocito Road that night?