There was a truck. I was like, "You don't even know if that's the right truck." And he just started shooting him. I totally >> This is 26-year-old gang member Daniel Gomez. He's just admitted to his role in a deadly driveby shooting that claimed the life of an 11-year-old boy. Two weeks earlier, Gomez and two friends were at a baseball game when they thought they spotted a rival gang member in the crowd. Hours later, as they left the stadium, they came across a car they believed belonged to that rival crew. Without hesitation, they opened fire, unleashing 14 rounds into the vehicle. But they were wrong. Inside wasn't a rival gang member. It was an innocent family. >> What do you got? and >> she was running through the street with a baby in her arms and she stopped us and she said, "Public my son's been shot." >> On the evening of September 6th, 2023, just before 900 p.m., police were called to the scene of a shooting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A black SUV had reportedly opened fire on a white pickup truck near Isotopes Park Stadium. Inside the truck was 23-year-old Tatiana Viagas. In the back seat sat her aunt, Maria Viagas, along with her two young children, an 11-year-old boy and a 3-month-old infant. Officers rushed to the location immediately. That's right. >> She got shot in the rib. >> We have a secondary victim, female about 25 years of age. Shot in the ribs and possibly the arm. We start at 40 55. >> I don't I got chest seals, right? >> Hold that real quick. >> Tatiana had been shot five times and was in critical condition. Officers quickly rushed to her aid, working desperately to keep her conscious until paramedics arrived. She was rushed to the hospital as her terrified family stood by, helpless and horrified. [Music] I mean, I swear of God, we're good people. We don't do anything to anybody. They're probably thinking of somebody else. >> Maria Viz, the mother in the back seat, was exactly right. Just a minutes earlier, Tatiana had been peacefully driving her family home from a baseball game, unaware of the horror about to unfold. Meanwhile, only a few feet behind, 22-year-old Jose Romero was at the wheel of a black Dodge Durango, accompanied by his two friends, 21-year-old Nathan Garley and 26-year-old Daniel Gomez earlier that night at the game Romero had spotted a rival gang member, the same one who had stolen a chain from him weeks earlier, fueled by revenge Romero, and Garley had tracked what they believed to be his car and decided to open fire. But the most tragic news of all had yet to be delivered to the Vas family. Unfortunately, TPO was not the only one in the vehicle that was struck by the gunshots. >> Just how's my son? Please tell me. >> I do not know. They're working on it. Now, stay here. Okay. >> They see a light. >> I don't know. I don't know. I know the ambulance was working on it. >> Okay. What did you see? I saw the lady coming out of the cart and she was running to distribute the baby in her arms. >> What lady? >> Uh the mom of the baby. >> Okay. In the truck. >> Yeah. She goes out and she was trying to wake him up, get him up, you know, and then she came to the truck and she stopped us and she says, "Paul the cops. My son's been shot." >> Did you see anything at all before that? You hear anything? >> No. No. Just camera. >> You were in the truck, too? >> I was driving. >> Okay. 11-year-old Viz, who had been sitting in the backseat of the truck, was tragically struck in the head. The bullet took his life instantly. >> This is what I have so far. Okay. Black Jeep Cherokee. They were at the game and then mom was in the truck. >> Yeah. >> They were in They were driving westbound. This car, they said they started shooting at them from out of nowhere. It was a black Jeep Cherokee traveling westbound. Last time it was seen here, right? >> Okay. Um, >> I've got a casing right there. >> She said there was a guy out of the sunroof like a rifle. I have the male in the truck. His name is Fando Viegas. >> He was born in 2012. >> So he's 11. >> Yeah. Got it. >> So Tenno Viegas was the female driver. She was to UNH. >> How old is she? >> She was born in 99. >> Okay. So she's >> an adult. >> Is that That's not her kid though. >> That's not her kid. >> Is that her brother or how are they? >> It's her niece. So niece and nephew >> niece and nephew of her and she was in the back seat with her son Paulas. >> So mom of this 1030 who's 107 was in the truck with him. >> Yes. In the backseat >> and female passenger who got shot three times was sitting there. >> Okay. She was driving. Mom was in the back seat of her >> and they just started shooting. >> That's for no reason. >> That's what she's saying. Officers use the term 107, a code meaning out of service or no longer operational. In this heartbreaking instance, it was their way of confirming the unimaginable. Fra Vas had been declared dead at the scene. The tragic chaos had not only claimed the life of an 11-year-old boy, but also left Tatiana Viegas permanently paralyzed from the waist down. With the situation slowly stabilizing, investigators turned their attention to the difficult task ahead, figuring out how such a horrifying event had unfolded. So far, all they had were the original 911 calls reporting gunfire and a vague mention of a black vehicle. After already questioning those who were merely nearby when it happened, officers now shifted their focus to witnesses. >> I'm not sure what all information you guys got. I was right there in the [ __ ] crossfire. We did not get hit. >> Did you get a good look at the person who was shooting? >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Where were you? Where were you guys at? Did you hear anything? >> Yeah, cuz we were walking that way and then once we get over there, we see a black Durango walk this way and it has windows in it. After it gets right here, we just hear like five five or or like >> five gunshots with like three. >> Did you guys see anybody in the in the car? >> No, they had all their windows up and were black. Police now knew they were searching for a black Durango and the individuals behind the reckless shooting, but identifying the main suspects wouldn't be easy. Detectives still had no clear motive for the sudden violent attack. With few leads to go on, officers returned to the victims the following day, hoping to uncover any overlooked details that might help them crack the case. >> First and foremost, my condolences to you both. Okay. Thank you. Um, I've heard some of the statements that you're wondering why there's that's a question you can ask. So many families have asked that. >> I was there with my baby and then we just passed the line. I was what is university? >> Yeah. >> And I started hearing like boom, but I didn't know what was going on. And then she suddenly stopped the truck. And then that's when I saw this uh black SUV, I believe, with a guy coming up from the sunroof with a big rifle. Then my son went like this. Then I said, "Daddy, what's wrong with that?" And she said, "I can't move. I just call an ambulance." I grabbed my son's face and he was full of blood, you know, and I started throwing in and I knew he was there because he was with his eyes open. So I grabbed the baby from the car seat and I got out from the truck and I started screaming, you know, for help and nobody stopped. This was the kind of nightmare no family should ever have to face. Investigators knew time was critical, not just for the Viegas family, but above all for 11year-old Freen. The next day, a crucial update came in. Tatiana had survived. For detectives, this changed everything. She wasn't just a survivor. She was the only known witness. Her account could be the key to identifying the suspects and uncovering the truth about what unfolded that harrowing night. >> Hello, Tatiana. My name is David. I'm going to go easy with you. Okay. Um, pleasure meeting you. Okay. Sorry. It's meeting you in such a way. Reason why we're here is we're I'm the primary detective handling you and your nephew's case. Okay. I heard was like boom boom boom and then I turned and looked at my auntie and I was like did we hear something or that's when I just saw my body go numb like my stomach and >> Okay. So you you said you heard a distinctive boom boom boom. >> Okay. When the car started to pass you when you're looking at the car, could you see over the top of the cab of the car? Was it higher than you or was it lower than you? >> It was like after like the shots I did stop and that's when I saw the guy at the top. >> Okay. >> Okay. The guy at the top shooting. >> Okay. Did you ever see the driver of that car? >> No. >> Okay. When the car went by, how many people were shooting at you? >> Um, I only saw the guy at whenever he passed. He was at the top. I only saw him. >> He only saw one guy. >> One guy shoot and he was standing up on top of the sun move. >> The details matched what witnesses had previously told police except for one crucial point. Tatiana was adamant that there had only been one gunman who opened fire. Then came the first real breakthrough. Anonymous tips from the public pointed detectives toward two suspected gang members, Blick and Risk, marking the first significant lead in the case, but the investigation was far from over. A third suspect remained at large, and until he was found, the full picture couldn't be drawn. Then came a startling twist. Just one day after the shooting, the man allegedly in conflict with Risk took to Instagram to taunt him, posting, "You shot at the wrong truck." That message gave investigators what they needed, the identity of the intended target, Isaiah Vasquez, who remarkably had not been harmed in the attack. 5 days after the shooting, Vasquez was brought in for questioning. from there's being small. >> Have you had any problems with anybody over the past couple weeks? >> You sure about that? >> Yeah. Your closet? >> Yeah. >> Although Vasquez wasn't considered a suspect, investigators were convinced he was holding something back that he knew far more than he was willing to admit. >> They got information about um what's your girlfriend's name? >> Sabrina. >> Sabrina. Sabrina and her boyfriend, which we did find. >> Okay. >> Had a argument with a rival gang member. Okay. >> Okay. I'm not gang at all. >> Okay. This is how it brought me. I'm going to hear from my fingers. >> That's fine. >> And that person who had that argument, you listen to the whole game portion out of it now. Okay. wanted to shoot you and the information is very specific that you had a similar color vehicle, my victim's vehicle. >> Okay. >> And looking up your vehicle, your information, you have owned in your history a Dodge Creek cab white pickup truck with that. Do you have anything to say about that? Has anyone in front of you? >> I I went home. I didn't I didn't remember nothing like happened while >> his responses though seemingly cooperative were evasive and his indifferent attitude left detectives increasingly frustrated. So like he mentioned like you're we're not you're not in trouble right now. The investigation led us to believe that you could help us out. I can tell I can tell you you hesitated, right? So, the truck around >> a man. >> Yeah. >> This is the crew guy. >> Uh, is that the quarter? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> You think somebody wanted to hurry? We're pretty sure. Okay. >> So, but we know that you had an argument with somebody. >> Okay. >> And I know that other person wanted to hurt you, but I think they hurt somebody else in the tent of trying. >> Oh, really? Isaiah was clearly putting on an act and seemed to know much more than he was admitting. However, without concrete evidence linking him to any argument at the game, police couldn't prove his involvement. The fact that he drove a vehicle similar to the victims naturally raised suspicion. But that alone wasn't enough to implicate him in the gang related feud. What detectives truly needed was a detailed description of the prime suspects. But Isaiah refused to give them one, firmly claiming he had no idea who they were. >> Officer Blake, was it there? >> I don't know who that is. >> Risk either was a a >> officers had uncovered the street names of two prime suspects. Blick identified as Nathan Garley and Risk, identified as Joseé Romero. While this gave detectives a clearer idea of who they were looking for, they still had no clue where the men were hiding. With Isaiah's interrogation yielding nothing useful, the investigation had hit a frustrating standstill. Much to the relief of investigators, their breakthrough came just a day later. On September 13th, none other than Nathan Garley, also known as Blick, was pulled over by state police while returning from Arizona. Inside his vehicle, authorities discovered a firearm and roughly 100,000 tablets. After running his information, officers realized he was already a wanted suspect in connection to the Freen Vas murder. His arrest proved pivotal. It led them directly to Joseé Romero, who was also on route to Arizona and was taken into custody that same day. With two of the three suspects now in custody, only 26-year-old Daniel Gomez remained at large. But in an unexpected turn, police didn't have to search long. Just one day after Garley and Romero's arrest made headlines, Gomez voluntarily walked into the police station and turned himself in. During questioning, Daniel admitted he had been inside the Black Dodge Durango that night, but he was determined to share his own version of events. >> Having these rights in mind, do you wish to speak to me? >> I want to uh speak like a attorney first. Yeah. >> But then I, you know, I just would feel comfortable with someone present with me that knows more about legally. It's not like cuz I'm I'm here to talk to you guys. There's a reason I came to you guys, >> you know? So, I would just I feel like I would feel more comfortable with someone that knows more about these things. >> No, it's absolutely fine. At first, Daniel made the wise choice by invoking his right to an attorney, but it wasn't long before he changed his mind. >> With that, we're done. I can't go any further. Uh, I'll be direct with you. You're under arrest. Um, you've been charged with an open count of murder, numerous other like shooting from a motor vehicle, attempted murder. I understand each one of you have the same charges. >> Suddenly, Daniel changed course. Confronted with serious charges, he realized he had only one option left to share his side of the story. >> Each one of you have the same charges. Each one of you. I got a question. Just a question. >> That's fine. I can answer questions. >> If I was to speak to you guys today, >> what would happen exactly? I want I want to do this. >> Mhm. >> Because it isn't right what happened and you guys need to know. >> Yeah. But the only thing is I do this and my family going to die. That's my question. >> Police now had to figure out whether Daniel was genuinely being threatened by the other men and feared retaliation if he spoke out or if the entire story was a fabrication meant to cover up his deeper involvement in the crime. >> If we could solidif solidify some of that stuff that may help you. we might be able to solidify some of your statements of the threats to you. >> Well, um it all started about 9 9 10:00 in the morning. I had asked a friend uh who was by Risk if he wanted to go have some dinner when he picked me up. There was another guy um they call him Blick. Um, I have known Russ for a long time, known like his family and stuff, but I have never known his uh I never known his friends. So, >> Daniel's motive from this point seems fairly obvious. While he describes Risk as a longtime friend, he admits to barely knowing Blick. Naturally, it would be easier and more convenient for him to shift all the blame onto someone he wasn't close to rather than implicate his friend. We had finished up eating and then we went to play some games at his house. We leave his house. We're headed towards the game. Everything's okay. You know, we get to the game. So, we start heading to our seats when I I didn't really know the situation. All I knew is that a dude, he goes by the name of or at least that I know is Boston. I guess they had told me he had robbed wrist for one of his chains or whatever. So when we see them, I don't know what's really going on. Uh Blake and that Boston guy are kind of smiling at each other. All of a sudden, uh that guy starts heading towards the the far exit where it says, "Hey, we we have to go." I said, "Why?" He says, cuz I have to go pick up my daughter, so we have to go. Lick says he he turns to Risk and he says, "Hey, uh, that that fool's circling around with some homies with a Mac looking for us." So, they jumped in the car and they pulled up to me and they told me to get in. We're about to leave. I was like, "Hey, can you just take me home? I'm not, you know what I'm saying? I'm not really feeling comfortable." He's like, "Just hold up. We're we're looking for somebody real quick." And I was like, "Who? Who?" And he just kept saying, "My cousin. My cousin." There was a truck, a white truck, Dodge truck, and Blake goes, "There's that. There's that truck." I was like, "You don't even know if that's the right truck." I said, "Stop acting like an idiot." I said, "Riss, take me home." Ris like took off and I ducked and I screamed, "No." And he jumped out the sunroof and he just started shooting them. And so they we they flew all the way back to Risks and I was crying. I said, "You you guys got to let me go home, you know." And that's when Lick turned around and he told me, he said, "If you tell anyone about this, go to anyone. I know where your grandma stays and I know where you stay." And told him wouldn't say nothing. What initially appeared to be a straightforward gang-lated incident had now taken a far more complicated turn. Daniel insisted he had no involvement in the horrifying events that unfolded and claimed he feared for his own life. >> And taunting me was just an innocent baby. I told was full of no like he just won't let me out the car. I just wanted to take out the car. I didn't want to be in that situation. I didn't want to be in that situation at all, sir. I'm sorry. I just I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. I was just so scared for my life. I'm still scared. I don't know what it's going to happen to me. These guys have a lot of money, a lot of power. It's It's not funny. It's scary at this point. I don't care what's been said about me. That little boy needs justice. He needs justice. >> Daniel may be digging his own grave by admitting he was at the scene of the crime. In doing so, he's essentially implicated himself, and the statements he's made only add to the growing suspicion around him, raising serious questions about whether he's telling the truth or simply trying to save himself. >> For what the [ __ ] happened to him, no kid should ever have to go through that. That's why I'm here and I'm doing what I'm doing right now. >> Was it Was it Risk who cocked the gun? >> No, it was Link who cocked the gun. >> It was Risk. Risk was driving the car. >> Risk was driving. >> Risk Risk kind of was doing the same thing I was telling him, no, no, no. You know what I'm saying? Don't do it. Don't do it. And he's didn't give a [ __ ] He just did it. No remorse. It's like It's like he had done it before, >> you know? It was like he was already used to it. To him, it was nothing but a little adrenaline rush. >> Daniel quickly pointed to BCK as the main perpetrator, even claiming that both he and Risk had tried to stop the shooting. According to his version of events, they were reluctant participants, arguing against the violence, and insisting that the white pickup Blick targeted wasn't even the intended one. I know that that day we went to the apartments, um there was a girl there, but he didn't introduce me to her. She was a blonde girl, real petite, short, um big lips, a nice pretty smile. >> What police knew for certain was that Daniel had been in the car that ended the life of an 11year-old boy. Whether it was guilt weighing on him or a desperate attempt to shift blame, Daniel made sure to provide a description of someone else who might have been involved. With this new lead, investigators turned their focus to a blonde girl, Jose Romero's girlfriend, Janna Garcia. >> Even though like I'm scared for my life, you know, to talk and speak up, but it's only the right thing, I think, at this point. Janna echoed Daniel's claims, saying she feared for her life and didn't want to snitch. In gang culture, loyalty and brotherhood are everything. Strengthened by an us versus them mentality, where speaking out isn't just frowned upon. It can be a death sentence. But this code of silence doesn't protect them. It only tightens the noose. Janna's hesitation to talk, shaped by this very culture, made her involvement in the killing all the more suspicious. >> Nathan is the one that shot at the vehicle. He he goes by Glick here in the streets. The people that he thought was driving that Nathan had a shootout with them like like 2 months ago, I think. And then going on this um about the shooting of the 11-year-old, Nathan was the one that shot out the car. I'm not protecting J hair or nothing. But Daniel, like he's an angel. Like Daniel, he really didn't do anything. >> Although Janna's remarks come off as questionable, her comments about Daniel Gomez stand out. Despite barely knowing him, she goes out of her way to defend his character, prompting a deeper question. Is she shielding Daniel to prevent him from saying anything that could bring all three of them down? She places the blame squarely on Nathan. But as Jose's girlfriend, it's just as likely she's using him as a convenient fall guy. >> If you do know that information, probably best to give that up because they're they will come down to the fine new details of everything um in court. And that's what I'm trying to make sure that I put the right person because they're all ch charged the same until we get all the information that we need. They will all be charged the same. >> Yeah, I could see that. Janna Garcia, 22, was charged with tampering with evidence after assisting Jose Romero and Nathan Garley in disposing of the SUV used in the shooting. Meanwhile, Garley, Romero, and Daniel Gomez all face charges of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy. The death of young Viegas marked Albuquerquekey's second fatal child shooting in just a month, leading Governor Michelle Lugen Gisham to declare gun violence a public health emergency. In the wake of the tragedy, the Viegas family launched a GoFundMe campaign for Tatiana's recovery, which raised over $40,000.