An Albuquerque woman has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the deadly shooting of her daughter’s ex-boyfriend outside a restaurant nearly three years ago. The case, which involved attempts to shift blame onto a minor, has now come to a close with a guilty plea and a lengthy prison sentence.
What Happened in 2022?
The incident took place on March 4, 2022, outside Lindy’s Diner in downtown Albuquerque. Elizabeth Ortiz-Chavez fatally shot Josue Ruiz, her daughter’s ex-boyfriend. Prosecutors said Ortiz-Chavez later tried to blame her son, who was a teenager at the time, thinking he would get a lighter sentence because of his age.
The Legal Outcome
On May 1, 2025, a judge sentenced Ortiz-Chavez to 18 years in the New Mexico Corrections Department. She had earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in January.
The Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the sentencing. The long prison term reflects the seriousness of the crime and the attempts made to mislead investigators during the case.
A Complicated Family Situation
According to reports, Ortiz-Chavez’s teenage daughter was pregnant at the time of the incident and claimed that Ruiz had hit her. This allegedly triggered the violent confrontation.
Her son, Angelo Baldonado, was first arrested in connection with the shooting. Police believed Ortiz-Chavez may have planned the confrontation between Angelo and Ruiz. When questioned, she reportedly became “very irate,” showing signs of frustration and anger.
Secret Phone Calls and New Information
While in juvenile detention, Angelo reportedly had phone conversations with his mother. In one of them, he said, “No matter what happens, they are gonna put that conspiracy to commit murder for me.”
Later, someone came forward and told detectives that Angelo’s older brother had said it was actually Ortiz-Chavez who pulled the trigger, and that Angelo was covering for her. This testimony played a key role in the investigation and helped uncover the truth behind the killing.
After nearly three years of legal twists and emotional testimony, justice has been served in the case of Josue Ruiz’s murder. Elizabeth Ortiz-Chavez is now sentenced to 18 years behind bars for her role in the deadly shooting and for attempting to let her son take the blame. The case highlights how serious consequences can follow when people try to cover up violent actions with lies, even within a family.
