Man in tent shot dead after asking pair to not shoot into creek, NM officials say
A man sleeping in a tent near an Albuquerque apartment complex was fatally shot, and now a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old have been indicted in his killing, New Mexico officials said.
Joshua Curtis, 18, and a 17-year-old whose name wasn’t released were indicted in connection with first-degree murder and other charges in Christopher Sturluson’s shooting, the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office said in a June 12 post on Facebook.
Curtis’ attorney, Jay K. Nair, told McClatchy News in a June 12 email that, “In our state, everyone accused of a criminal offense has the constitutional right to prepare and present a defense, no matter the nature of the allegations. It is my job as his defense attorney to make sure the case is fully investigated and to identify the facts behind the charges.”
Nair added that, “As the case develops, we will separate the facts from fiction. It is important to remember that Mr. Curtis is innocent until proven guilty, and at this time the allegations in this case are just that — allegations.”
Officials said Sturluson, 23 – who was experiencing homelessness – was shot May 1 after asking the teen and Curtis to stop firing into a arroyo, or dry creek, that was close by.
The teen and Curtis didn’t know Sturluson, according to officials.
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 3:49 PM with the headline "Man in tent shot dead after asking pair to not shoot into creek, NM officials say."
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