ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New details have emerged surrounding a disturbing homicide case involving an 18-year-old Albuquerque man, whose arrest came after a chaotic police pursuit late Monday night. Authorities say the incident began with a call reporting gunfire near the Big I, but what officers encountered quickly escalated into one of the most unsettling scenes they have investigated in recent months.
Witnesses Report Shocking Scene Near the Big I
Around late evening Monday, dispatchers with the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) received reports of a possible shooting. When officers arrived near the freeway interchange known locally as the Big I, witnesses provided information that immediately shifted the gravity of the investigation. Multiple bystanders described seeing a young man pull what appeared to be a lifeless body from one vehicle and load it into the trunk of another car.
The witnesses told police that the suspect acted with urgency, as though attempting to hide evidence before fleeing the area. Moments later, the car sped away, triggering a citywide effort to track the vehicle and locate the driver.
Automated Plate Readers Help Officers Track the Vehicle
As officers attempted to catch up to the suspect, the vehicle was already traveling at dangerous speeds. According to a criminal complaint filed in the case, the driver reached speeds close to 100 miles per hour, weaving through traffic and putting other motorists at significant risk.
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Albuquerque’s automated license plate reader system—installed at key intersections and patrol units—played a critical role in narrowing down the suspect’s location. Alerts sent to officers identified the fleeing vehicle near Albuquerque’s west side, prompting multiple units to converge on the area.
With the assistance of air support and street-level tracking, the chase continued until the suspect ultimately lost control of the vehicle.
High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Crash
The fleeing car eventually crashed at a west side intersection. Officers quickly surrounded the scene, fearing the suspect may still be armed or attempting another escape. Despite the violent wreck, the driver survived and attempted to flee on foot, according to police.
Officers apprehended him moments later. He was identified as 18-year-old Dominic Speer, who was taken into custody on the spot.
A Grim Discovery in the Trunk
After securing the suspect, officers began searching the vehicle to determine what Speer may have been trying to conceal. Inside the trunk, they discovered the body that witnesses had described earlier in the night.
The criminal complaint notes that the victim’s body was “cold to the touch,” suggesting the death had occurred some time before the police pursuit. Investigators have not yet publicly disclosed the identity of the victim, pending notification of family. Nor have they released further details on the cause of death, though homicide detectives are treating the case as an intentional killing.
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The disturbing discovery only heightened the urgency of the investigation, prompting APD to secure the crash scene for several hours while forensic teams processed the vehicle and collected evidence.
Suspect Faces Multiple Serious Charges
Following his arrest, Speer was transported to an APD substation where detectives began interviewing him regarding the events leading up to the chase. So far, police have not released a motive or confirmed whether the suspect and victim knew each other.
Speer is now facing a series of felony charges, including:
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Murder
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Aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer
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Resisting and obstructing arrest
Additional charges may be added as investigators piece together the timeline of events.
Investigation Expands as Detectives Examine Evidence
Homicide detectives and crime scene technicians are continuing to analyze evidence from both the crash site and the initial location near the Big I. Investigators are reviewing nearby surveillance footage, license plate reader logs, and witness statements to determine how the incident began and what may have caused Speer to move the victim’s body.
Detectives are also looking into whether the shooting call that initially drew officers to the scene is connected to the death discovered in the trunk.
The gruesome nature of the case has left residents stunned, especially given the suspect’s age. APD officials have emphasized that this remains an active and developing investigation, with more information expected as forensic results come in.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Concern
Albuquerque has faced a series of violent incidents in recent years, and cases involving young suspects continue to raise concerns among community leaders and law enforcement groups. Monday night’s discovery has once again sparked conversations about youth violence, accessibility of weapons, and the prevalence of high-speed police chases in the city.
Authorities are asking anyone with additional information about the incident, the suspect, or the victim to contact APD’s homicide unit. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers.
A Case That Has Shaken the City
The combination of witness accounts, the dangerous pursuit, and the grisly finding in the trunk has made this case one of the most unsettling incidents reported in Albuquerque this year. As investigators continue their work, the community waits for answers about what led to such a tragic and disturbing turn of events.
