CONVICTED –

Tuesday evening, a Bernalillo County Jury convicted 16 year-old Michael Salinas Jr. of  8 charges:

1.   First Degree Murder (Willful & Deliberate)
2.   Shooting At or From a Motor Vehicle (Great Bodily Harm) (Firearm Enhancement)
3.   Shooting At or From a Motor Vehicle (Great Bodily Harm) (Firearm Enhancement)
4.   Shooting At or From a Motor Vehicle (Causing Personal Injury) (Firearm Enhancement)
5.   Shooting At or From a Motor Vehicle (Causing Personal Injury) (Firearm Enhancement)
6.   Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon) (Firearm Enhancement)
7.   Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon) (Firearm Enhancement)
8.   Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon) (Firearm Enhancement)

In February, 2022, two groups of teens were in a series of fights that escalated to a shooting at Westgate Community Park.

There were four victims in the shooting: Vincent Le who was murdered, a juvenile was shot in the jaw, another juvenile was hit by two bullets causing graze wounds, and adult Isaiah Garcia who was hit in the leg causing entry/exit wounds.

“Our prosecutors work incredibly hard to get violent people off the streets.  This case was an absolute senseless tragedy.  We hope this verdict gives some closure and justice to the families of the victims,” said Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman.

Sentencing for Salinas will take place at a later date.  He was 15 years-old at the time of the homicide.  He is facing more than 80 years in prison.