Clovis Man Convicted of Felony Murder and Armed Robbery in 2023 Shooting

Jury finds Alex Zapata guilty of killing roofer during attempted robbery

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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Alex Zapata was found guilty by a Curry County Jury for Felony Murder, Attempted Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon in the 2023 shooting death of Anival Salguero, a roofer who was killed during an attempted robbery in Clovis, New Mexico.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of violent crime and robberies targeting vulnerable workers, as well as the challenges prosecutors face in securing convictions for felony murder charges, especially when dealing with uncooperative witnesses and complex evidence.

The details

On July 9, 2023, Clovis police responded to a shooting at 9th and Davis, where they found Anival Salguero dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators determined that several out-of-town roofers had been paid in cash, and Zapata attempted to rob Salguero of his money. Prosecutors presented testimony from two Spanish-speaking roofers who identified Zapata, as well as evidence from Zapata's phone and witnesses who placed him at the scene planning the robbery.

  • On July 9, 2023, Clovis Police Officers were dispatched to 9th and Davis in reference to an individual who had been shot.
  • The five-day trial ended on Friday afternoon.

The players

Alex Zapata

The defendant, who was found guilty of Felony Murder, Attempted Armed Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

Anival Salguero

The victim, a roofer who was killed during the attempted robbery.

Quentin Ray

The Ninth Judicial District Attorney who announced the guilty verdict.

Brett Carter

The Special Prosecutor who presented the case against Zapata.

Gary Mitchell

The Defense Attorney who represented Zapata.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing issue of violent crime and robberies targeting vulnerable workers, as well as the challenges prosecutors face in securing convictions for felony murder charges, especially when dealing with uncooperative witnesses and complex evidence.