New Mexico teen accused of killing 4 family members

The boy called 911 early Saturday.
Teen in custody: The New Mexico State Police said a 16-year-old boy was in custody in connection with the shooting deaths of four family members. (New Mexico State Police)

BELEN, N.M. — A 16-year-old New Mexico boy is accused of fatally shooting four family members on Saturday, authorities said.

According to a news release from New Mexico State Police, Diego Leyva was charged with four counts of open counts of first-degree murder. State police spokesperson Ray Wilson told the Albuquerque Journal that Leyva is accused in the shooting deaths of his father, Leonardo Leyva, 42; his mother, Adriana Bencomo, 35; his twin brother Adrian Leyva, 16; and his brother Alexander Leyva, 14.

State police said the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from Diego Leyva. The teen allegedly told the dispatcher he had killed his family. When deputies arrived at the residence near Belen, Diego Leyva walked out of the residence with his hands in the air and was “extremely intoxicated,” state police said. He was taken into custody without incident.

State police said a handgun was found on the kitchen table, KTSM reported.

“This incident is in the preliminary stages of investigation. New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents and Crime Scene Team are processing the scene and conducting interviews to learn what led up to these tragic events,” Wilson said. “Once more information is learned and the investigation is complete, it will be presented to the district attorney’s office for prosecution.”

According to the Valencia Fire Department, Bencomo had served with the Rio Communities Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter, CNN reported. In a statement posted to its Facebook page, the Valencia County Fire Department said that the RCFD was “shocked and saddened by this loss.”

“Valencia County Fire is acting as the liaison to Rio Communities Fire to handle any inquiries while they work through this tough time,” the post stated.

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