Los Lunas Resident Charged with Murder After New Year's Shooting

A New Year’s Eve gathering on Santa Cruz Road ended in a fatal shooting that left one man dead and another facing murder charges. Court documents say a deputy with the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office responded after a caller reported a man had been shot in the chest at about 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. Responding officers found two men, one attempting CPR; law enforcement took over life-saving efforts at the scene.

The victim, identified in court records as Jesus Olivas, collapsed after being shot and later died. Authorities placed 21-year-old Angel Ramos and another man in separate patrol vehicles. Court filings state Ramos told deputies he and Olivas had been cleaning firearms when a weapon discharged. Ramos told investigators he was attempting to remove the slide from a handgun, that it was his first firearm, and that he did not remember pressing the trigger or that the chamber contained a round. Records note the firearms had been purchased the weekend before the shooting.

A third man at the residence told investigators the three had been drinking for 20 to 30 minutes before the shooting and that he had not witnessed the moment the shot was fired because he was using his phone. He also described the atmosphere as free of conflict and was later released from custody.

The incident underscores several public health and community concerns in Valencia County. Accidental and otherwise preventable firearm injuries are a major contributor to premature death and trauma nationwide. In communities like Los Lunas, where access to trauma care and mental health resources can be limited, a single fatality can ripple through families, schools, and workplaces. Alcohol use during firearm handling amplifies the risk of unintentional discharge and complicates investigative and legal processes.

For first responders and medical personnel, scenes like this create added strain. Deputies assumed CPR and other emergency tasks on arrival, and local emergency services must balance crime-scene procedures with urgent medical interventions. The emotional toll on neighbors and family members, and the potential long-term mental health needs of those involved, call for coordinated community supports.

The case also raises questions about firearm safety training, secure storage, and the responsibilities of new gun owners. Public health approaches that pair education on safe handling with policies to reduce risks may help prevent similar tragedies. As the legal process moves forward, residents of Valencia County will be watching both for answers about what happened that night and for community actions that might reduce future harm.