Donte Jacquan ’DJ’ Barnes, 31, was fatally shot on March 13, 2024, in the parking lot of Twisters at 2107 Menaul Blvd. N.E. in Albuquerque. Officers responded about 4 p.m.; Barnes was transported to a hospital and later died of his wounds. Police say the suspect approached Barnes at the far northwest corner of the lot, shots were fired, Barnes collapsed, and the shooter ran around the east side of Twisters before fleeing west on Menaul Boulevard.

The Albuquerque Police Department charged 25-year-old Gabriel Valenzuela-Greene Jr., also known by the street name Memphis, with an open count of murder and tampering with evidence in connection with Barnes’ death. Forensic work linked bullet casings from Barnes’ killing to another homicide earlier that same day, indicating the same 9mm handgun was used. Valenzuela-Greene was arrested March 15, 2024, after being tracked to a white BMW and then to a residence at 932 California St. S.E., where he attempted to flee as SWAT arrived.

The APD says this arrest is part of a broader probe into a series of killings allegedly tied to narcotics trafficking; investigators credited ShotSpotter, NIBIN ballistic matches, and digital video and intel teams in developing the case. Does anyone have information about Barnes, his movements that afternoon, or the area around Twisters on March 13?