A shocking crime has unfolded in Belén, New Mexico, where 16-year-old Diego Leyva stands accused of murdering his parents and two siblings.
After reportedly intoxicated, Leyva called 911 on Saturday morning to confess to the massacre, claiming responsibility for the killings of his family members.
He has since been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and is being treated as an adult in the legal system.
A Gruesome Discovery
Police arrived at the scene in the early hours of Saturday to find Leyva in an extremely intoxicated state.
Investigators discovered a handgun on the kitchen table and found the bodies of his family members.
The victims, Leonardo Leyva (42), Adriana Bencomo (35), and teenagers Adrian and Alexander Leyva, aged 16 and 14, were all believed to have died from gunshot wounds.
Despite the tragic loss, authorities managed to arrest Diego without any issues.
He was first taken to a local hospital for detoxification before being transported to a juvenile detention center in Albuquerque.
Community Mourns the Loss
The Valencia County Fire Department expressed their grief over the loss of Adriana Bencomo, who had been an active volunteer firefighter with the Rio Communities Fire Department.
In a statement, the department said they were “shocked and saddened” by her death and announced additional staffing to handle calls in the area.
The department’s peer support team has also been activated to help those affected by the tragedy.
A Community in Shock
News of the murder has sent shockwaves through the Belén community, with many struggling to comprehend how someone like Diego could commit such a crime.
Vanessa LaGrange, one of his former teachers, expressed disbelief, saying, “I would never have thought that something like this would happen and that Diego would be capable of doing something like this.”
Local authorities are still working to understand the motive behind the killings, though they have not revealed any specific details at this time.
School and Mental Health Responses
The Belen Consolidated Schools district, where Diego was a student, issued a statement expressing sorrow over the tragic event.
Superintendent Lawrence Sanchez extended condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized the importance of mental health awareness and vigilance when addressing the challenges faced by young people.
Counseling services are being offered to students, and the district has urged anyone in need to reach out to a teacher or principal for support.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the motives behind the killings continues, with police conducting interviews to piece together what led to the horrific events.
As of Monday morning, State Police were still processing the scene and speaking to local residents.
This event marks the 29th mass murder in the U.S. this year, defined as an attack in which four or more victims are killed.