Inset: Eduardo Castaneda Jr.: Taos County Sheriff’s Office. Background: The location in New Mexico where Castaneda is accused of murdering his girlfriend’s ex-husband (Google Maps).
A 35-year-old man in New Mexico has been detained on suspicion of killing his girlfriend’s former spouse, who was shot and killed while visiting the girlfriend’s residence to repair her vehicle.
Last week, Eduardo Castaneda Jr. was arrested and faces charges including one count of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery, and three counts of child endangerment in connection with the death of Antonio Gomez, as reported by officials.
According to a news release form the New Mexico State Police, the agency’s Investigations Bureau was called on to investigate a homicide that took place at a residence in the 200 block of Espinoza Road in Ranchos De Taos.
Initially, deputies with the Taos County Sheriff’s Office at about 2:20 p.m. responded to the Espinoza Road address in response to a “shots-fired” call. Upon arriving at the address, first responders immediately observed an adult male — later identified as Gomez — “lying on the ground, unresponsive, outside the residence with at least one apparent gunshot wound.”
Police began performing life-saving procedures on Gomez until medics with Emergency Medical Services arrived and transported him to a local hospital. Unfortunately, Gomez succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the facility.
An adult female victim who also appeared to have sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm was found at the scene as well. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Investigators say they discovered that the violence stemmed from a domestic violence situation involving the female victim’s current and former partners.
“Agents later learned that the female, identified as Gomez’s ex-wife, picked Gomez up and brought him to her residence so he could assist with mechanical issues she was experiencing with her vehicle,” the release states. “The female’s new boyfriend, and suspect, Eduardo Castaneda, was at work when he attempted to contact the female. After not hearing back from the female, Castaneda went to the residence. When he arrived, an altercation ensued between Gomez and Castaneda. At some point during the altercation, Castaneda brandished a firearm and began firing at Gomez, striking Gomez and the female at least once.”
The children of Gonzalez and the female victim were present at the home at the time of the shooting, authorities said.
Court documents obtained by the Albuquerque Journal provided additional details about the allegations.
After he was detained, Castaneda reportedly claimed that Gomez was the aggressor, attacking him first. He claimed that he shot Gomez in self-defense, only hitting his girlfriend by accident, because he was trying to protect her and the children.
The female victim said that when Castaneda found out his girlfriend had asked Gomez for help, he was not happy, telling her, “He better not be there.” She said that just prior to shooting Gomez, Castaneda yelled, “Come get some,” then fired at least a dozen times.
Police said that following the shooting, Castaneda fled the scene. An “extensive manhunt” ensued and authorities at about 10:30 p.m. that evening were able to locate him at Taos Ceramic Center located at 114 Este Es Road, in Ranchos De Taos, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Castaneda is currently being held without bond at the Taos County Detention Center and is scheduled to appear in court on July 31, 2025, records show.
