ALBUQUERQUE, NM – New Mexico police have apprehended a man believed to be responsible for the fatal stabbing of a 73-year-old man outside a local smoke shop. His brother is also sought by authorities for charges linked to the deadly altercation.
The incident unfolded on January 27, as the victim, Fred Tapia, and a friend encountered two men, Antonio Secatero, 25, and Jesus Secatero, 24, along with a female companion, on the road near the Breaking Bud smoke shop.
Officials with the Albuquerque Police Department disclosed that the Secatero brothers accused Tapia’s friend, who was driving, of attempting to hit them with his truck. The driver informed officers he swerved around the trio.
The encounter escalated into a heated argument, eventually turning physical. Tapia was reportedly attacked and pushed to the ground by one of the brothers. During the ensuing struggle, Tapia’s friend sought to arm himself with a pipe from his truck but lost his footing and fell. It was at this point that one of the brothers allegedly stabbed him in his arm and abdomen.
While the actual stabbing was not visible on the shop’s surveillance footage, the brothers were seen acting aggressively towards Tapia and the driver. The motion of their hands also suggested they were making stabbing motions, police stated.
Tapia and the driver were both rushed to a local hospital, where Tapia later succumbed to injuries to his lungs. The status of the driver is unclear. Using images from the security footage, a police academy cadet was able to identify the suspects from previous interactions at a nonprofit health clinic.
As of the most recent reports, Jesus Secatero has been apprehended and charged with murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy. Antonio Secatero’s arrest status remains uncertain.