A Tragic Case Of Mistaken Identity

 View Larger

Cops say16-year-old high school student, Tanee Natividad was fatally shot by Max Montijo-LaMadrid on November 18, 2001.

The U.S. Marshals in Tucson, Ariz. say that 16-year-old Tanee Natividad and Max Montijo-LaMadrid had never met each other before November 18, 2001.  Yet, it would be on that night where they would meet for the first, and tragically, the last time.

Authorities say that Montijo-LaMadrid was hanging out in a Tucson fast food restaurant parking lot when his friend was shot and killed by an assailant.  The shooter fled around the side of the restaurant and Montijo-LaMadrid went after him in retaliation.  At that moment, the car that Tanee Natividad was a passenger in pulled up to the eatery.  Investigators tell AMW that Montijo-LaMadrid must have believed that his friend's killer was in Tanee's vehicle because he took aim and fatally shot her.  Authorities say that Natividad had no part in the original shooting nor had she ever met Montijo-LaMadrid. 

U.S Marshals now think that Montijo-LaMadrid has gone to great lengths to remain a free man.  They believe that the murder suspect may have undergone breast implant surgery to appear more like a woman.  They also believe that Montijo-LaMadrid habitually crosses the Arizona-Mexico border dressed as a woman.   

Authorities are asking for the public's assistance with information leading to the whereabouts of Max Montijo-LaMadrid.  They stress that the alleged killer is considered armed and very dangerous.