Two key suspects received sentences, including the teenager who fired the fatal shots.
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – Justice is coming for the family of Kayla Montaño, who was shot at an Albuquerque gas station in 2022.
Two key suspects received sentences on Friday, including the teenager who fired the fatal shots.
“Estevan Lucero is ruthless, cruel, gets into the victim’s car and shoots until the clip disappears,” said prosecutor Collin Brennan.
It was a day of reckoning for Lucero.
“The state believes he is most at fault for this entire incident,” Brennan said.
Lucero pleaded guilty to a first-degree murder charge in connection with the 2022 death of Kayla Montaño.
Prosecutors say he fired about 30 shots at the SUV containing Montaño, her daughter, boyfriend, brother and friend. Lucero was only 15 years old at the time.
The recording played in court on Friday shows the moment it all happened.
“Mr. Lucero was not trying to defend himself. Nobody actually ever shot him, he was trying to kill him. That was his intention, as you can see in the video, that was his intention that night,” Brennan said.
Under the agreement, Lucero faced up to 24 years in prison. Montaño’s family urged Judge Courtney Weaks to impose the maximum sentence.
“I just want to know where is the justice when he only served half of the 24 years?” said Francisco Trevinio, Kayla Montaño’s brother.
“24 years for taking an innocent life and almost taking the lives of four others. If he were an adult, this deal would not have been considered at all,” said Gracie Gonzales, Kayla Montaño’s mother.
Lucero’s defense pushed for a much lighter sentence.
“But as one of the state’s witnesses said today, he was a scared little boy, and he was, and we’re dealing with a child,” defense attorney Kathleen Rhinehart said.
Supporters of restorative justice programs and his mother asked that he be released under a rehabilitation program.
“My son, my firstborn, he loves his family, he loves people. He is the protector of his siblings. She loves animals and loves all little children. He is not a child murderer as he was called. This is a child who made a terrible mistake. He’s a child who’s trying to find his way and has no intention of hurting other people,” said Brandi Sedillo, Estevan Lucero’s mother.
While Lucero himself apologized to the Montaños family.
“I dream about it every night and I won’t stop thinking about it for the rest of my life. But I’m sorry, I didn’t want something like this to happen, I’m sorry and that’s all I can say,” Estevan Lucero said.
After hearing all the opinions, Judge Courtney Weaks handed down the verdict.
“At this time, the court will sentence Mr. Lucero to 22 years in prison,” Weaks said.
Lucero will have to serve at least 85% of his sentence in prison.
The teenager who led the shooting was also sentenced Friday.
Prosecutors say that earlier in the day, Diamond Salazar had gone to buy a gun for Lucero. She was robbed and her mobile phone was taken away. She told Lucero and the other teenagers that Montaño’s SUV belonged to the people who robbed her. But she was wrong.
Salazar also took a plea deal and faced up to 24 years in prison, even though she never fired a shot herself. She apologized for this during Friday’s hearing.
“I want them to know that I feel very guilty and extremely remorseful for what happened that day, and I am not proud that I participated in the murder of Kayla Montaño,” Salazar said.
Judge Weaks sentenced Salazar to 19 years in prison, suspended.
She will have to serve at least 85% of her prison sentence before she is released.
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