Three men charged in 2021 Albuquerque homicide

One suspect is already serving 29-year prison sentence in unrelated murders

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:49pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent bullet casing, its metallic surface and dramatic shadows creating a stark, gritty visual that conceptually represents the investigation into a 2021 homicide in Albuquerque.A spent bullet casing found at the scene of a 2021 homicide in downtown Albuquerque exposes the harsh realities of the city's ongoing struggle with violent crime.Albuquerque Today

Three men have been charged in a four-year-old homicide that happened during an attempted armed robbery in Downtown Albuquerque. Adrian Avila, Elias Barron, and Joseph Silva are each charged with an open count of murder, attempted armed robbery, shooting at a motor vehicle, and tampering with evidence in the August 2021 killing of 23-year-old Rafael Torres.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges Albuquerque faces with violent crime, even years after an incident occurs. The arrests come after a lengthy investigation and provide some closure for the victim's family, though questions remain about the suspects' potential ties to other crimes.

The details

According to police, the incident occurred around 4 a.m. on August 3, 2021, when an officer on patrol found Torres' body slumped in the driver's seat of a black Kia in a dirt parking lot. Torres had a single gunshot wound to the chest. Surveillance video showed a group surrounding Torres before he tried to leave, at which point someone opened fire. Over the following months, police recovered the two guns used in the shooting. In August 2022, a witness came forward and identified 'Baby WAPO' (Avila) and 'Elias' (Barron) as being involved, saying they decided to rob Torres. Avila's fingerprints were found at the scene, and Silva's were later determined to match prints found there as well.

  • The incident occurred around 4 a.m. on August 3, 2021.
  • In August 2022, a witness came forward with information.
  • In April 2023, Avila's prints were confirmed at the scene.
  • In June 2025, Silva's prints were also determined to match the scene.
  • The three suspects were arrested between April 2023 and April 2026.

The players

Adrian Avila

A 22-year-old man charged with an open count of murder, attempted armed robbery, shooting at a motor vehicle, and tampering with evidence in the 2021 killing of Rafael Torres. Avila is currently serving a 29-year prison sentence on two unrelated murders.

Elias Barron

A 24-year-old man charged with an open count of murder, attempted armed robbery, shooting at a motor vehicle, and tampering with evidence in the 2021 killing of Rafael Torres.

Joseph Silva

A 23-year-old man charged with an open count of murder, attempted armed robbery, shooting at a motor vehicle, and tampering with evidence in the 2021 killing of Rafael Torres.

Rafael Torres

A 23-year-old man who was killed in the August 2021 incident.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on whether to allow Barron and Silva to be released on bail before their trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges Albuquerque faces with violent crime, even years after an incident occurs. The arrests provide some closure, but questions remain about the suspects' potential ties to other crimes.