Botched burglary suspected in fatal shooting

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A burglary gone bad may be behind the murder of a politician's son and the wounding of another man by a suspect arrested Thursday, according to Bernalillo County sheriff's investigators.

Jesse Chavez, 31, is accused of shooting and killing Ralph Chavez, son of state Rep. Ernest Chavez , at a home at 1421 La Vega SW in Albuquerque on Oct. 8. A second man, Michael Mirabal, was wounded but escaped to a nearby home where he called 911.

The victim and the suspected gunman are not related.

Detectives said it appears a botched burglary led to the shootings.

Jesse Chavez was arrested at his home in the 3300 block of Monroe Street NE in Albuquerque.

The nearby Desert Willow Family School was locked down as a precaution while officers made the arrest.

Investigators said he has a history of arrests for drug possession and trafficking. Chavez is being held without bond on an open count of murder and charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated burglary.