The uncle and stepfather of the accused victim attacked a New Mexico murder suspect at a hearing on Friday, as captured on court video.
According to a news release, Alexander Ortiz, 21, was taken into custody by Albuquerque police in February in relation to the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend, Alianna Farfan.
According to court documents, Ortiz entered a not guilty plea to the accusation of first degree murder in March of last year.
Ortiz was assaulted on Friday morning while attending a plea hearing at the Bernalillo County Courthouse in Albuquerque.
As Ortiz tries to escape, a man can be seen in the footage leaping over the line separating the public from suspects and heading straight for him. A few seconds later, another man does the same.
Lucero, Ysasi, Ortiz, a prison officer, Ortiz’s father, and a sixth unnamed man are among those who struggle and fight as they roll around on the floor during the ensuing riot.
An unnamed male in pants and a dark long-sleeved shirt was being punched by Lucero and Ysasi as the prison officer tried to shield Ortiz.
When the prison officer draws his Taser, the altercation eventually comes to a stop.
The guys are identified as Carlos Lucero and Pete Ysasi in court records the State of New Mexico filed in Metropolitan Court last week. After receiving a dispatch report of an ongoing altercation, deputies arrived in the courtroom at approximately 9:30 a.m.
According to court filings, Lucero and Ysasi allegedly leaped over the courthouse barrier, raced toward Ortiz, and started striking him. The prison officer who was guarding Ortiz was also allegedly hurt by the men.
Lucero called the victim, Farfan, his niece while he was being arrested.
According to reports, Lucero told the deputy who arrested him, “He killed my niece like a coward,” and that “it was worth every moment.”
Farfan’s stepfather was Ysasi.
According to court filings, Ortiz, Lucero, and Ysasi had “visible lacerations” after the event. After being arrested, Lucero and Ysasi were accused with assaulting a jail and battery on a peace officer.
According to internet records, Ysasi was released the day after Lucero was released from the Metropolitan Detention Center on Saturday.
Currently, it is unclear if they are being represented by lawyers.
According to the Albuquerque Police Department, Farfan was discovered dead in her residence on January 11, 2024.
In a news release last year, police stated, “Homicide detectives learned from friends and family that Farfan and Ortiz had an abusive relationship and Ortiz was upset with Farfan the day of the shooting.” “Farfan lived at the apartment and allowed several friends to stay there because she feared being alone, according to a relative.”
Detectives were informed by Farfan’s pals that Ortiz and Farfan were in her bedroom that night when they heard a single gunshot. They stated Ortiz had escaped through the bedroom window and found Farfan with a gunshot wound to the face after kicking open the door.
After a brief altercation with authorities, Ortiz was taken into custody on February 21, 2024. Online records show that he has since been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
Ortiz’s lawyer did not immediately respond to NBC News.
Friday morning is when his next hearing is scheduled.