Two New Mexico Men Accused Of Murder After Losing Money On Street Race

A second suspect has been arrested in connection to the shooting death of a man at an illegal street racing event in New Mexico last summer, police said.

KRQE reported Jose Cuevas, 25, recently turned himself in weeks after fleeing following Albuquerque police issuing a warrant for his arrest.

On Aug. 8, 2021, Cuevas and a second suspect, 24-year-old Isaiah Perez, got into an altercation with Daniel Garcia after they lost money because he won a race, investigators said.

“Other witnesses at the racing event observed Perez challenge Daniel Garcia to a race but he declined,” police said, noting Perez’s friends, including Cuevas, “participated in the fighting.”

“At one point, Cuevas was seen pulling out a gun believed to be a 9mm Glock with a green laser mounted to it,” police said. “Witnesses say Cuevas pointed the gun at the crowd surrounding the fight and say he yelled, ‘I dare any of you to jump in!’"

When Garcia got into his vehicle and attempted to drive away, the men followed him, surrounded his car, and demanded he get out.

Garcia again tried to drive forward, police said, and Perez allegedly responded by shooting at him multiple times, killing him.

Perez was arrested on March 25.

Cuevas and Perez both face first-degree murder charges, KRQE reported.

According to the station, at the time of the drag racing incident, Perez had been out of jail for fewer than three months after serving time for shooting and injuring four people at a house party in 2020.