New Mexico man allegedly shoots his stepfather dead after becoming upset while eating, flees scene on bike

A New Mexico man is accused of getting into an altercation with his mother and stepfather and shooting at them, missing her but killing him, authorities said.

On Sept. 20, Rex Saiz, 44, was with his mother and her husband at their home in Santa Rosa and eating in the kitchen, KRQE reported.

According to the station, Saiz’s mother told police he became upset and allegedly attempted to shoot her.

He then took aim at his stepfather, Thomas Ulibarri, 58, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau said.

Saiz’s mother was uninjured, but a bullet fatally struck Ulibarri. Saiz then fled the scene on a bicycle and authorities, with the assistance of the New Mexico State Police Tactical Team and a helicopter, launched a manhunt.

Around 10 p.m. that evening, law enforcement located Saiz and his girlfriend, Gina Tower, 50, at a Santa Rosa Super 8 Motel, where she works, and took the couple into custody.

Saiz’s mother allegedly told police her son was on drugs at the time of the deadly shooting, KRQE reported.

Saiz and Tower were booked into the Guadalupe County Detention Center. Saiz was being held on an open count of murder in the first degree and attempted murder in the first degree. Tower was charged with harboring or aiding a felon.