Tucumcari native shot in Albuquerque

A Tucumcari native was Albuquerque's first homicide victim of 2020, according to the victim's uncle.

Vicente Christopher Romero-Lopez, 23, of the Albuquerque area died about 2 a.m. New Year's Day in the driveway of a townhouse after he was shot to death.

A second man a short time later was dropped off at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque with a gunshot wound but was expected to survive.

Albuquerque police are investigating the homicide.

Jerry Joe Lopez of Tucumcari said Albuquerque police detectives told him they are investigating three suspects in connection with his nephew's death.

An email to police requesting a report about the shooting was not immediately answered.

Romero-Lopez will be buried in Tucumcari later this week.

According to an official at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Tucumcari, Romero-Lopez was born in Tucumcari, baptized at the church and was a member there. His mother and father, Chris and Tonia, live in Rio Rancho, but several other relatives still reside in Tucumcari.

Romero-Lopez, who was employed as a roofer, leaves behind a daughter, Ivy, and the child's mother, Sasha Reyes. Also surviving are a brother, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

A rosary will be held Friday evening at St. Anne's Catholic Church with Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. Saturday in the church. Burial will occur at Memorial Park cemetery in Tucumcari. Dunn Funeral Home in Tucumcari is in charge of arrangements.