Cops: Unfortunate Circumstances Lead To Fatal Mistake

Cops say that when Joseph Marquez took his own life on July 1, 2003, it was just the beginning of the agony for the Torrez family, who had witnessed the suicide in their own home.

When Joseph’s cousin, Marcus Marquez, learned of the suicide, he simply didn’t believe it. In fact, police say Marquez not only refused to believe that his cousin voluntarily committed suicide, but also held his relatives responsible: Marquez suspected his family of murder.

And even more disturbingly, he set his mind to getting revenge.

Authorities tell AMW that Marcus Marquez, who cops say is a known affiliate of the Albuquerque East Side San Jose gang, recruited several fellow gang members to aid in the plan.

Police say the disturbing payback plan came to fruition in the early morning hours of July 3, just two days after Joseph’s suicide.

A Late-Night Visit Turns Deadly

Cops say Marquez assembled a crew of his fellow gang members, including Javier Palomo. The gang headed towards the Torrez house around 1:00 a.m.

According to police, the crew arrived at the house around 1:09 a.m., and began pounding on the front door, demanding to be let inside the residence.

Jenny Torrez and her son, James Griego, heard the knocking and knew something wasn’t right.

Instinctively, the two tried to barricade the door with all their strength. Marie Torrez, Jenny’s daughter, woke up moments later and rushed to the front door to help her family hold the door closed.

Cops allege that Marcus Marquez grew angrier and more irrational by the second, as did his partner in crime, Javier Palomo. But police say it wasn’t Marquez who drew first blood: Palomo did. When the gang couldn’t get inside, police say Palomo fired two shots through the front door.

One shot struck James, killing him; the other round hit Marie in the arm. Immediately after shots rang out, the accused gang members took off.

Although authorities responded quickly to the scene, James was already dead when they arrived. Marie, who took a bullet in the arm, retreated to the bathroom where she used towels to help stop the bleeding.

Members of the Albuquerque Fire Department rushed Marie to the hospital, where doctors tended to her injury. Despite their best efforts, the attack left Marie permanently disabled.

Cops: Palomo May Be Affiliated With Mexican Cartels

Now, law enforcement officials say they have reason to believe that Palomo most likely fled to Juarez, Mexico.

Furthermore, Palomo’s criminal lifestyle and his previous involvement in an organized criminal enterprise leads police to believe he is most likely affiliated with the Mexican drug cartels.