Bullets allegedly link New Mexico suspect to violent October shooting spree that killed man, injured another

Police have formally charged a man in New Mexico who allegedly went on an early autumn deadly rampage with murder and other crimes, officials said.

On Dec. 15, the Santa Fe Police Department said ballistic testing allegedly showed Jay Wagers, 25, was responsible for a shooting spree that killed one man and seriously injured another.

“Santa Fe Police detectives have continued diligently investigating these incidents and have now confirmed through ballistic testing that the firearm located on Mr. Wagers’ person at the time of incident was in fact the firearm that was used in all of the shooting incidents,” law enforcement officials said.

Wagers now faces counts of first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and felon in possession of a firearm.

According to investigators, on Oct. 4, Wagers fatally wounded Joseph Aiello, 39. Later in the day, Santa Fe police began to receive calls about a male shooting at people.

A second victim, a homeless man according to The Santa Fe New Mexican, suffered life-threatening injuries when he was hit in the eye and temple at a liquor store.

The suspect, police alleged, then shot at a female driver and tried to carjack her at gunpoint. “The female was not injured in this incident as the bullet fired narrowly missed her head,” police said.

With the assistance of Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police, officers took Wagers into custody without incident when he was found hiding in a truck at the Santa Fe Indian School.

At the time, State District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ordered the suspect be held without bail, saying he was "a very dangerous menace to the community," according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

Anyone with information related to the shootings is asked to contact Detective Anthony Sweeny at arsweeny@santafenm.gov or 505-955-5401.