Thomas Masa Nunn

Thomas "Masa" Nunn, a funny, caring, and energetic 16-year-old from Tijeras, New Mexico, was remembered by friends and family for his big heart, respectful nature, and protective loyalty. A student at Manzano High School who had previously attended Roosevelt Middle School, Thomas was an active and engaged member of his community. He served as a junior board member for the New Mexico Motorcycle Rights Organization, where his loss was deeply felt. Loved ones recalled him as a fun-loving and trustworthy young man who brought happiness to those around him. His family affectionately called him "Masa," a nickname he had carried since he was a baby.

On January 23, 2022, Thomas’s life was cut tragically short in a violent act of betrayal on the southwest mesa, an open, undeveloped area near Albuquerque. According to investigators with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas had gone to the location with three other individuals with the intention of shooting guns. The recreational outing took a horrific turn when the plan, allegedly premeditated, was revealed and one of the guns was turned on him. Thomas was shot and killed. His personal belongings were then stolen, and his body was left abandoned in the field where he was later found by deputies.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) launched a homicide investigation and soon identified two suspects: 20-year-old Christopher Byers and another individual, Elias Acuna. The investigation also suggested that a third person may have been involved in the ambush. The case took a swift turn just two days after Thomas’s death, on January 25, when Acuna died from what the Albuquerque Police Department was investigating as a possible accidental shooting. Three days later, on January 28, Byers himself was shot and hospitalized in a separate incident that remained under investigation. It was never determined if that shooting was related to Thomas's murder.

While Byers recovered at the University of New Mexico Hospital, BCSO deputies kept a constant watch. On February 7, 2022, authorities secured an arrest warrant for Byers. Upon his release from the hospital, he was formally charged with an open count of murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and tampering with evidence in connection with Thomas Nunn's death. He was subsequently booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center.

The case saw another violent chapter unfold within the jail walls. In April 2022, while awaiting trial, Byers was attacked by another inmate, Izaiah Garcia. Garcia, who was Thomas Nunn’s half-brother, had been placed in the same housing pod as Byers. Video reportedly showed Garcia approach Byers and stab him from behind with a 6- to 8-inch sharpened plastic shank. Garcia stabbed Byers more than 20 times while saying, "this is for my brother." Byers survived the attack with what were described as superficial injuries and was returned to the jail the same day after being treated at the hospital. At the time of the attack, Garcia was already incarcerated and awaiting trial for two separate murder charges.

In March 2024, Christopher Byers accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and armed robbery for the killing of Thomas Nunn. A judge sentenced Byers to 29 years in prison. Per the terms of the plea agreement, nine of those years were suspended. Byers must serve at least 20 years behind bars, and upon his release, he will be subject to five years of supervised probation. The investigation into the potential third suspect who may have been involved in Thomas Nunn's murder remains open.