For Immediate Release

June 5, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Albuquerque, NM

TEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER HAD PRIOR GUN CASES — INCLUDING TAKING GUN TO SCHOOL. HOW IS OUR CURRENT JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM WORKING? IT'S NOT!

Investigators believe that on May 1, 2025, a 17-year-old and his 18-year-old accomplice shot and killed Christopher Sturluson. Sturluson was camping in a tent behind an apartment complex at 4601 Carlisle Blvd NE when police say the two teens shot the homeless man after Sturluson asked them to stop shooting into a nearby arroyo late that night.

 

The 17-year-old was on juvenile probation at the time of the murder.
He has a criminal history involving firearms, including bringing a gun to a high school campus in 2022. He received little to no consequences for his multiple juvenile arrests involving firearms.


"Enough is enough. This office has been asking — and urging — lawmakers, over and over, to address the juvenile crime crisis in our state. One of the teens charged with this latest homicide was convicted of bringing a gun to Sandia High School just two years ago. Then he was busted for another gun crime a year later. There were no consequences. He didn’t learn anything except that he could get away with carrying a gun as he pleased. Now, a 23-year-old man is dead, and two teens are charged with murder. This office has charged more than four dozen juveniles with murder in just a few years. Violent juveniles in our community can face consequences AND get behavioral health treatment. The time to do something is now.
Ask yourself — how is our current juvenile justice system working? IT’S NOT. INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE DYING."


— Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman


At this time, the 17-year-old is charged with:
  • Murder in the first degree
  • Conspiracy to commit shooting at a dwelling or occupied building
  • Shooting at a dwelling or occupied building
  • Negligent use of a deadly weapon
  • Unlawful carrying of a handgun by a person under the age of 19
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office intends to try him as an adult.


The other teen charged in this case is 18-year-old Joshua Curtis. Curtis is also charged with an open count of murder and multiple other crimes.


Both defendants are presumed innocent under the law unless and until they are convicted in a court of law.