New Mexico
New Mexico teen accused of killing his parents, siblings with handgun
A New Mexico teenager has been charged with killing four members of his family, state police said on Sunday.
According to a press release from New Mexico State Police, the teen was identified as 16-year-old Diego Leyva. Police say Leyva called 911 at around 3:30 a.m. to report that he had killed his family in their home in Belen, New Mexico, a small town about 33 miles south of Albuquerque.
Once officers arrived at the house, the teen surrendered himself to deputies.
“Diego walked out of the residence with his hands in the air and was extremely intoxicated. He was taken into custody without incident,” police said in the statement.
Officers found four people dead inside the house and a handgun on the kitchen table. The deceased were identified as his father Leonardo Leyva, 42, his mother Adriana Bencomo, 35, and his brothers aged 16 and 14.
Police say Leyva now faces four counts of first-degree murder and has been booked into a Juvenile Justice Center in Albuquerque.
Tributes from local fire department come in
The Valencia County Fire Department said in a Facebook post that Adriana Bencomo, one of the four people found dead on Sunday, was a volunteer firefighter in the area.
“Our brothers and sisters at RCFD are shocked and saddened by this loss as expected. The Valencia County Fire Department and Belen Fire Department have brought in additional staffing to assist with calls in Rio Communities, and the VCFD peer support team has been activated to assist members with this loss,” the statement said.
USA TODAY could not immediately find a lawyer representing Leyva.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
New Mexico
Man pleads guilty to killing New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A man has pleaded guilty to killing New Mexico State Police Officer Justin Hare on Interstate 40 near Tucumcari back in March.
Jaremy Smith pleaded guilty during a hearing in federal court Friday. As a part of the plea agreement, Smith admitted to shooting and killing Hare and taking off in his vehicle.
Investigators said this happened while Hare was trying to help Smith deal with what appeared to be a flat tire. For more than two days after the deadly shooting, law enforcement agencies in New Mexico and surrounding areas looked for him. Then, a Murphy’s gas station employee offered a tip to law enforcement that ultimately led to them capturing Smith in Albuquerque.
A month later, a federal grand jury indicted Smith on a plethora of charges for the alleged murder. Smith subsequently pleaded not guilty before changing his plea Friday.
As a part of Smith’s plea agreement, he also admitted to stealing a car and kidnapping Hare.
Smith was also charged with murder in South Carolina for allegedly killing a paramedic. He is currently behind bars.
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New Mexico
New Mexico Lottery Pick 3 Day, Pick 3 Evening results for Jan. 16, 2025
The New Mexico Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 16, 2025, results for each game:
Pick 3
Day: 8-1-1
Evening: 0-3-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 6-0-3-8
Day: 2-1-0-8
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Roadrunner Cash
03-10-15-27-32
Check Roadrunner Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
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Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Las Cruces Sun-News editor. You can send feedback using this form.
New Mexico
Eastern New Mexico women’s basketball gets big win, men fall in huge upset to Sul Ross State
PORTALES, N.M. (KFDA) – The Eastern New Mexico women’s basketball team won big on Thursday, but Sul Ross State pulled off a huge upset over the men’s team, picking up their first conference win of the year.
The women’s game tipped off first, and the Greyhounds won, 98-78.
ENMU had six players in double digits: Nataya Lockett with 23 (led all scorers), Abbi Holder with 16, Jayla Smith with 12, Tonka Jaksic with 11, and Kaitlyn Edmondson and Tatiana Platonova with 10 a piece.
Jayla Smith also had 11 rebounds to go along with her dozen points, giving her a double-double.
On the day, the Greyhounds shot 45 percent from the field, 67 percent from three, and 100 percent from the free-throw line. As a team, they totaled 34 rebounds, 31 turnovers, 20 assists, 13 steals, and one block.
With this win, ENMU improves to 7-3 in Lone Star Conference play and 12-4 overall.
The men’s team was looking for similar success but got upset in big fashion, falling 110-101. This is the first time since Nov. 1987 that the Lobos beat the Greyhounds.
On the day, the Greyhounds shot 57 percent from the field, 27 percent from three, and 75 percent from the free-throw line. They also recorded 35 rebounds, 15 assists, 15 turnovers, nine steals, and five blocks.
With this loss, the Greyhounds fall to 10-6 on the year and 5-5 in conference play.
Both Greyhounds’ teams stay home this weekend, facing the Western New Mexico Mustangs at the Steve Loy Family Foundation Arena.
Copyright 2025 KFDA. All rights reserved.
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