Robert Stotts

Robert William Stotts Jr., known to his loved ones as a happy and sociable person, was a 27-year-old man whose life was cut short in the early morning hours of Monday, May 8, 2017, in his hometown of Roswell, New Mexico. His death left his family reeling, particularly his father, who was described as being in poor health and emotionally devastated by the loss of his only son. In the wake of the tragedy, a family friend organized a GoFundMe campaign to help the grieving father with the unexpected costs of a funeral, a request that was met with support from the community.

The fatal encounter occurred shortly after 1:00 a.m. in the parking lot of an Allsup's convenience store located at 6000 South Main Street. The Chaves County Sheriff's Office reported that deputies were dispatched to the scene and found Robert Stotts suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Investigators believe the shooting was the culmination of a fight that had broken out among four individuals. Stotts was the only person injured in the altercation. He was rushed by emergency services to the Eastern New Mexico Medical Center for treatment, but tragically, his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The investigation into the homicide was handled by detectives from the Chaves County Sheriff's Office. Their work over the following months led them to identify a primary suspect in the case. On Thursday, September 14, 2017, investigators arrested 20-year-old Frank Anthony Montoya Jr. of Roswell. He was charged with an open count of murder for the death of Robert Stotts. In addition to the murder charge, Montoya faced a felony charge for unlawfully carrying a firearm into an establishment licensed to sell liquor, as the Allsup's store sold alcohol.

The arrest brought to light Montoya's history with the criminal justice system. At the time he was charged with killing Robert Stotts, he was already awaiting trial for a separate murder case. In May 2017, just days after Stotts's death, the Roswell Police Department had issued a warrant for Montoya's arrest, seeking him on charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection with the December 2014 shooting death of 32-year-old Joe Anthony Garza. Police alleged that shooting was an act of retaliation for a previous fight.

The legal proceedings for the murder of Robert Stotts moved through the New Mexico court system. While the specific details of the trial and verdict are not widely publicized, the case is noted as having been resolved through litigation, indicating that the charges against Frank Anthony Montoya Jr. were adjudicated in court.

The loss of Robert Stotts was a profound blow to his family and friends, who remembered him for his cheerful and friendly nature. The sudden and violent end to his young life was a stark reminder of the impact of gun violence on communities. The case remains a painful memory for those who knew and loved him, a life ended abruptly in a convenience store parking lot on a spring night in Roswell. As of the latest available information, the legal chapter of the case has concluded, though the personal grief for Robert's loved ones endures.