A man who was grieving the loss of his niece jumped at her alleged killer in court in an attempt to attack him.
Alexander Ortiz is accused of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend, Alianna Farfan, in January 2024.
Investigators allege that the two had a history of domestic abuse and that Ortiz was upset with Farfan on the day of the shooting, per News.com.au.
In February 2024, Ortiz was charged with Farfan’s murder.
Authorities later linked him to the killing of another woman, Nicole Maldonado, who was murdered just six days after Farfan’s death.
"APD (Albuquerque Police Department) officers responded to the apartment that evening and located a female, later identified as Farfan, who had been shot in the bedroom," police said in a statement on February 21, last year.
"The offender reportedly ran out of the window of the apartment wearing a ski mask and a black hoodie. Officers arrived and determined Farfan was deceased."
The statement went on: "Homicide detectives learned from friends and family that Farfan and Ortiz had an abusive relationship and Ortiz was upset with Farfan the day of the shooting. Farfan lived at the apartment and allowed several friends to stay there because she feared being alone, according to a relative.
"On the night of the shooting, friends eventually told detectives that Farfan and Ortiz were in Farfan’s bedroom with the door closed. They heard a single gunshot. They kicked open the bedroom door and saw that Farfan had been shot in the face.
"They said Ortiz had already left through the window of the bedroom. The friends also told detectives that Ortiz always wore a black ski mask, and that was a 'big thing' for him."
During what was expected to be a routine court proceeding regarding the case, 40-year-old Carlos Lucero, Farfan's uncle, leaped over a barrier and tackled 21-year-old Ortiz, per the Mirror.
The sudden attack prompted several others to intervene, escalating the altercation and forcing security officers to step in.
According to local news outlet KRQE, law enforcement detained Lucero and another man, Pete Ysasi, 51, for their involvement in the melee.
Ortiz’s father, Joeray Ortiz, also engaged in the fight, throwing punches before later telling deputies that he was attempting to break up the violence.
Court security officers worked to protect Ortiz as they endured blows from Lucero and Ysasi.
Bernalillo County sheriff’s deputies reported that while being taken into custody, Lucero declared: “He killed my niece like a coward,” and added: “it was worth every moment.”
Both Lucero and Ysasi have been charged with assault and battery on a peace officer. Jail records indicate that both men have since been released. It remains unclear whether Ysasi had any prior connection to the defendant.
Lucero, Ysasi, and Joeray Ortiz were all treated for injuries at a hospital following the incident.
In response to the courtroom brawl, the Second Judicial District Court underscored the importance of security measures.
“This is just one more incident that we continue to deal with, these are the types of things that we see regularly,” said Katina Watson, CEO of the Second Judicial District Court.
She also praised the swift response of security personnel. “I really want to give recognition to the officer who was caught in the middle of this and he did everything he could to ensure the safety of everyone,” Watson added.