Pair arrested in El Paso neighborhood tied to NM deadly road rage shooting
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – A man and woman who were recorded being arrested in a Northwest El Paso neighborhood on Tuesday, April 22, are believed to have been involved in the death of an innocent bystander in Albuquerque.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday provided an update on an April 18 shooting in Albuquerque that left an uninvolved bystander dead.
The victim, identified as 21-year-old Roberto Carlos Pineda Arriaza, died April 21 after previously being reported in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head.
Detectives identified Rory Horowitz as the primary suspect and Ellyssa Salazar as a second suspect connected to the case. With assistance from the United States Marshals Service, the El Paso Police Department and other partners in Texas, both suspects were located at a residence in El Paso and taken into custody. Video of the pair being arrested along Isla Del Rey Drive was posted online.
Rory Horowitz (Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office)
Ellyssa Salazar (Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office)
Horowitz was initially sought on charges including shooting at or from a motor vehicle causing great bodily harm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm. Investigators said they are seeking an amended warrant to include an open count of murder. Salazar was arrested on charges including tampering with evidence and harboring a fugitive.
According to investigators, Pineda Arriaza was not involved in the gunfire and was struck as occupants of two vehicles exchanged shots in what authorities described as a road rage incident. Detectives identified one of the vehicles as a Mitsubishi registered to Salazar and developed evidence linking Horowitz to the shooting. An arrest warrant affidavit states witnesses described the shooter, connected him to the Mitsubishi and tied additional evidence to Horowitz during the investigation.
Officials said the case progressed quickly due to coordinated efforts among sheriff’s deputies, violent crimes and homicide detectives, and the agency’s Operational Intelligence Unit, along with federal and out-of-state partners.
The extradition process is underway to return both suspects to New Mexico in coordination with the District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said a separate individual associated with the second suspected vehicle was arrested by the Albuquerque Police Department on charges including aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer and reckless driving. Investigators said there is no evidence that person fired a weapon, and no charges related to the homicide or aggravated battery have been filed against them.
The Mitsubishi identified in the investigation has not been recovered, and detectives are continuing to search for the vehicle. Anyone with information is urged to contact the sheriff’s office or submit an anonymous tip through Tip411.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed as authorities continue to gather evidence.
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