2nd man in Chavez-Silver shooting death turns himself in; Rep. Maez speaks

Albuquerque police arrested 21-year-old Christopher Cruz for his alleged involvement in the murder of Jaydon Chavez-Silver after he turned himself in late Monday, according to Albuquerque police spokesperson Tanner Tixier.

Cruz will be booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on an open count of murder. A warrant for his arrest was issued earlier Monday.

18-year-old Donovan Maez was arrested late Friday and charged with an open count of murder, as well as several other crimes, in Chavez-Silver’s shooting death at a northeast Albuquerque home June 26.

Maez also faces an open count of murder, as well as child abuse without great bodily harm, assault with intent to commit a violent felony, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, shooting from a vehicle and conspiracy charges.

According to a criminal complaint filed for Maez, police found social media posts from a group of young men referring to the shooting, and unnamed witnesses pointed police to Maez and Christopher Cruz as being involved in the shooting, though they said Maez pulled the trigger.

The complaint said Cruz posted a picture on Facebook 29 minutes before the shooting occurred that showed 10 rounds of ammunition – the same number of rounds fired into the home in which Chavez-Silver was shot.

Another witness told police Cruz drives an eggshell-colored Nissan Maxima and that the two had a TEC-9, 1911 Colt .45 and .40-caliber Glock with them at the time of the shooting.

The witness also said that Bernie Miller, whose home the shooting occurred at, owing Cruz money for marijuana was the reason for both the fight and the shooting at the home.

Maez, the son of New Mexico Rep. Stephanie Maez, D-Albuquerque, is charged with an open count of murder, child abuse resulting in death, three  counts of child abuse, 10 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, shooting from a motor vehicle, assault with intent to commit a violent felony and conspiracy.

Screenshots of Cruz’s Facebook page taken from the hours after the murder say he was “Kinda Worried About The Brothers.”

“Smoking This Fat A—Joint Tryna Finish This Bottle Of Ciroc Cuzz Nobody Likes a Quitter Lol [emoji] Kinda Worried About The Brother Tho Hmi Asap,” the post reads in its entirety.

He also has several other posts from the next day talking about a “hood night” and “last night.”

Just days later, a post of his says he “Copped A New Pistol,” with the hashtag “#Baretta.”

Saturday, a day after Maez was arrested, Cruz wrote a post saying:

“Wtf iKnow For A Fact Pager [Maez] Had Nothing To Do With That S— Like That’s F—ed Up Because They Had The REAL Shooter in Custody Not Too Long Ago But Of Course He Tried To Pin It On Someone Else iAint Even Tripping Tho My Brother Innocent && We’ll Prove It iJust Can’t Believe Ther’re Tryna Put That S— On Him Shout Out To Apd For Being So Stupid That They Can’t Solve A Case So They Just Listen To Anyone Who Says Anything That S— Ain’t Right.”

REP. MAEZ ADDRESSES SON’S CHARGES AT NEWS CONFERENCE

Rep. Maez held an emotional news conference at her father’s house Monday afternoon, saying she and her family will continue to stand by Donovan but that she had not met with him at the Metropolitan Detention Center yet.

Crying throughout, she pointed out that her family is going through a tragedy, but also had words for Chavez-Silver’s mother, Nicole Chavez.

“I want to start by saying how truly sorry I am for Nicole Chavez’s loss. As a mother, I can’t imagine the pain she’s going through regarding her son, Jaydon,” Rep. Maez said. “As a mother I can’t even imagine the pain she is going through grieving her son Jaydon.  I wish nothing more at this moment that she be able to hug her son.  Having a child to hold and talk to is indeed a gift.”

“I will not pretend that Donovan has an easy time in life.  He has faced difficulties and struggles beyond his years,” she continued. “As his mom, I’ve always been a part of his life and have done everything in my power to help him fulfil the promise that his life holds.”

When asked if her son had any history of drug abuse or mental health problems, or if her son had a father figure in the picture, Rep. Maez did not answer.

“Even the best families have unspeakable hard times,” Rep. Maez said. “Donovan is now in the hands of the criminal justice system. The charges will be handled in keeping with the laws of our state. I will though stand by him no matter how those proceedings play out.”

She is a single mother of two. Her son is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond.

Originally published at KOB.com