Justin Swenson, 39, of the Carlsbad, New Mexico area, was killed in the early morning hours of May 28, 2019 at his home on Nymeyer Road. Officers from the Loving Police Department found him inside the residence with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Investigators reported a truck with a loud exhaust was seen leaving the area around the time of the shooting, and later concluded the death was the result of a planned robbery targeting Swenson’s motorcycles.

A federal criminal complaint says four people conspired to steal Swenson’s motorcycles: Jehra Lynn Hedgecock allegedly lured him outside while Stetson Shane Barnes, Donald Alfred Busch, and Tyson Lee Terrell went to a carport to take the bikes. As the group fled in Hedgecock’s pickup, Barnes allegedly fired multiple shots from the backseat and one bullet struck Swenson. Randall Melton was later arrested and charged with harboring or aiding a felon.

Within days of the homicide, multiple arrests were made. Hedgecock pleaded guilty in July 2021 to conspiracy, carjacking resulting in death, and a related firearms charge. In November 2021 a jury convicted Barnes and Busch of conspiracy to commit carjacking, carjacking resulting in death, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition; Busch was also convicted of using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, while the jury did not reach a verdict on Terrell. Does anyone have information about the events that night or about Swenson’s motorcycles?