A verbal dispute between two roommates in Gallup on the evening of June 13, 2024, ended with the death of 52-year-old Antonio Nez. Nez and his 36-year-old roommate, Henry McCarthy, were consuming alcohol at a residence at 1591B N.M. 264 when the argument escalated and McCarthy allegedly fired at least one round from a rifle that struck Nez.

Deputies from the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office were called to the home the next day and, with the homeowner’s consent, entered the residence. Nez was found in a bedroom lying facedown near the doorway with obvious head trauma; a rifle and McCarthy, who was found under a blanket in the same room, were also located. The Office of the Medical Investigator pronounced Nez dead at the scene. McCarthy was detained and later arrested following a New Mexico State Police investigation and faces charges including 1st Degree Murder and unlawfully and knowingly discharging a firearm at a dwelling or occupied building.

No additional public details about motive or the exact sequence of shots have been released. If anyone has information about Nez, the household, or the evening of June 13, please share what is known with investigators.