ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Albuquerque police have confirmed that a 16-year-old, identified as Joshua Torres, died Thursday, August 1, nearly two weeks after suffering a gunshot wound during a fight involving teenagers on the city’s northwest side.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of July 21, 2025, near a spot known as “The View,” a popular hangout for local youth near Kimmick Drive and Valiente Road NW, close to Paseo Del Norte.
According to investigators, a confrontation between two groups of teenagers escalated after 20-year-old Daniel Mayorga allegedly became aggressive and shoved a member of the other group. Torres reportedly intervened, leading to a physical altercation that ended with Torres being shot in the eye.
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Mayorga, who was arrested shortly after the incident, initially claimed he was drinking and using marijuana nearby when he heard a gunshot but denied being involved. However, detectives say evidence pointed to his direct role in the shooting.
He was taken into custody and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing great bodily harm, unlawful possession of a firearm, and tampering with evidence.
With Torres’ passing, the charges against Mayorga may be upgraded pending further investigation.
Torres is the second teen to lose his life to gun violence in the Albuquerque metro area within a span of two weeks. A separate fatal shooting recently took place on the University of New Mexico campus, underscoring growing concerns about youth violence in the city
