Teen Arrested in Fatal Shooting During Suspected Gun Deal

Albuquerque police say 17-year-old Eduardo Huerta killed another teen and injured a girl during a botched firearm transaction.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A 17-year-old boy named Eduardo Huerta has been arrested and charged with an open count of murder, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, shooting at or from a vehicle, and tampering with evidence in the January 20th fatal shooting of another 17-year-old, Ethan Cruz, during an attempted gun sale in Southwest Albuquerque. Police say Huerta and Cruz had set up the gun deal over social media and agreed to meet at an Allsup's parking lot, where the shooting occurred, leaving Cruz dead and a 17-year-old girl injured.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of illegal gun sales, particularly when involving minors. It also raises concerns about youth violence and the need for greater community efforts to steer young people away from criminal activities. The case will likely prompt further discussions around gun control, youth crime prevention, and the role of social media in facilitating dangerous transactions.

The details

According to police, Huerta and Cruz had arranged to meet at the Allsup's parking lot to conduct a gun sale. When Cruz got out of his Nissan to speak with people in a red Infiniti, the Infiniti followed Cruz's vehicle, and several gunshots were fired, leaving Cruz with gunshot wounds to the head and leg. A 17-year-old female driver in Cruz's vehicle was also shot in the leg. Cruz was pronounced dead at the hospital, while the female victim survived. Police were able to identify Huerta as the suspect through video surveillance, phone data, and school records.

  • The shooting occurred around 6:54 p.m. on January 20, 2026.
  • Huerta was arrested on February 20, 2026.

The players

Eduardo Huerta

A 17-year-old Albuquerque resident who was arrested and charged with an open count of murder, aggravated battery with great bodily harm, shooting at or from a vehicle, and tampering with evidence in the fatal shooting of Ethan Cruz.

Ethan Cruz

A 17-year-old boy who was fatally shot during the attempted gun sale with Huerta.

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What they’re saying

“Homicide detectives used license plate readers to help identify the red Infiniti and compare its location history to data and social media content obtained from Cruz's phone.”

— Gilbert Gallegos, Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson (abqjournal.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Huerta to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for greater community efforts to address youth violence and the proliferation of illegal firearms, particularly through online transactions. It also highlights the importance of robust law enforcement investigations and the use of technology like license plate readers to help solve such crimes.