DONA ANA COUNTY, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — Two brothers, arrested in connection with a shooting that killed a 37-year-old man and injured a 41-year-old woman– a couple who had just gotten into a domestic argument– claim they acted in self-defense after the man threatened them with a knife.
According to the arrest report, 18-year-old Andres Gerardo Martinez Reyes was arrested, along with his underage brother, after the two reportedly intervened during a couple’s argument– which then escalated– and then ended in a shooting.
This happened Saturday at around 12:42 a.m. inside a home at the 8900 block of Ivory Wing Lane.
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After the shooting, the 37-year-old man, identified as Joshua Pacheco, was pronounced dead, while the 41-year-old woman was flown to the University Medical Center in El Paso to be treated for her injuries as investigators described she was shot at least once in her arm and possibly another time in her belly.
41-year-old woman was flown from Dona Ana County to an El Paso hospital after a deadly shooting following a domestic dispute. Feb. 28, 2026. Credit: Dona Ana County Public Safety via Facebook
In the report, investigators spoke with one of the daughters of the 41-year-old woman, who said that Pacheco and their mother got into an argument, leading to the mother locking herself in a bathroom.
The daughter then described the moments that led to the shooting:
Pacheco tries to approach the bathroom– Martinez steps in. Martinez asks Pacheco to leave the woman alone.Pacheco pulls out a knife, telling Martinez something to the effect of, “I’ll stab you, n****.”Daughter manages to disarm Pacheco.Once disarmed, Martinez pulls out a gun. Pacheco threatens to take the gun away and use it on Martinez.Pacheco punches Martinez.Martinez and his brother open fire. Both brothers take off running before the authorities get there.
The arrest report then details that Martinez was found at around 3 a.m. at the 5200 block of Seminole Trail, near I-25, over 10 miles away from the shooting.
Both Martinez and his brother (who later showed up at the same location) turned themselves in to the authorities and both shared their experiences while speaking with investigators, both alleging they acted in self-defense.
According to Martinez, this is what happened:
He was dropped off at the home.Was in one of the daughters’ bedrooms when the daughter asked him to help her mother. He pushes Pacheco.Pacheco pulls out a knife. Pacheco tells him to get away, “I’ll stab you, I’ll take your life right now.”He tells Pacheco he is armed.Then warns him he will shoot him if he comes any closer or tries to hurt him. Pacheco punches him.Thinking he was stabbed/cut, Martinez starts shooting. Runs away through the back.Loses his phone.Stashes gun.
Martinez told investigators he is not sure if his brother opened fire also, adding that he felt as if his adrenaline had taken over before he pulled the trigger and he could see his brother was shocked because everything happened fast.
Martinez also told investigators he remembers hearing the mother telling Pacheco, “Yes, you did hit me,” while he reportedly pushed her.
Meanwhile, in his own interrogation, Martinez’s brother described to investigators the events leading up to the shooting as follows:
He sees Pacheco arguing with the woman.Sees Pacheco hit the woman. Woman hides in the bathroom. He approached Pacheco. Tells Pacheco to calm down. Pacheco pulls out a knife.Martinez gets hit.Both open fire. He runs out of the home through the front.Throws gun into the desert while fleeing.
“We both shot because we were afraid for our lives,” the brother told investigators, according to the arrest report.
Echoing what Martinez told investigators, the brother stated his mind went blank because everything happened so quickly and he does not remember exactly what was said.
According to the report, the brother also explained that the gun he used had been bought “on the street.”
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Jail records show Martinez was booked that same day and charged with:
Murder (first degree).Aggravated battery may cause death or great bodily harm.Aggravated assault.Tampering with evidence. 
Mugshot of 18-year-old Andres Gerardo Martinez Reyes. Credit: Dona Ana County
Martinez is being held without a bond.
Because the brother was a juvenile, no information was shared regarding his charges.
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