A New Mexico mother has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, conspiracy, and aggravated battery in connection with the 2023 shooting death of 19-year-old Santiago Roybal.
Raeanna Ruiz, 35, was the driver behind the wheel of the white SUV seen in surveillance footage pulling into an Albuquerque apartment complex. In the vehicle were her two teenage children, 15-year-old Christopher and 16-year-old Dylana Barela, who allegedly chased down Roybal and shot him.
The Shooting Incident
On October 18, 2023, Ruiz’s children believed they were being stalked by Roybal, whom they claimed had been watching them for months. According to court documents and statements from Dylana Barela, she spotted Roybal in the backyard of her family’s home, and after informing her mother, the family decided to confront him.
The three of them drove to an apartment complex several blocks away, where they encountered Roybal.
Surveillance footage showed Roybal running away from the white SUV driven by Ruiz. Dylana Barela, armed with a firearm, chased Roybal, while her brother, Christopher, wielded a baseball bat.
After Roybal entered an apartment and attempted to close the door, shots were fired through it, hitting Roybal fatally. Ruiz’s daughter reportedly yelled, “Shoot through the door” during the gunfire.
The Aftermath and Investigation
Roybal was declared dead at the scene, and surveillance footage helped identify the SUV. Police noted distinctive features of the vehicle, such as its rims, taillights, front grille, and a black dealership logo. These led to the identification of Ruiz as the driver.
Additionally, investigators uncovered that Ruiz had discussed the incident with a friend on Facebook, where she sought legal advice and mentioned that she believed Roybal was “stealing” from her home.
A Family’s Actions and Motive
Dylana Barela later told police that she believed Roybal had been stalking her, peeking into her bedroom window. She explained that the family initially intended to confront Roybal and possibly “beat him” or “pistol whip him” but did not expect the situation to end in murder.
After the shooting, Ruiz was seen parking the white SUV outside a friend’s home and covering it with a tarp, likely in an attempt to conceal her involvement in the crime.
Dylana and Christopher Barela have also been charged with open murder and are being held in the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center. Ruiz’s guilty plea and subsequent sentence come as a result of her role in orchestrating the deadly encounter.
This tragic incident highlights the dangerous consequences of reacting impulsively and violently to perceived threats. The involvement of a mother in orchestrating such actions with her children is a sobering reminder of the impact family dynamics can have on criminal behavior.
Ruiz’s actions, along with those of her children, led to a young man’s tragic death, leaving the community in shock and raising important questions about justice and accountability.
