Man charged in connection with fatal shooting of girlfriend

May 28—After the death of his 18-year-old girlfriend in a Saturday-night shooting, Carlos Gonzalez, 24, was arrested by Albuquerque Police Department homicide detectives and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to a press release from APD.

The release details a day of confrontation and conflict between the couple, before Areli Rodriguez was fatally shot.

Before the midnight shooting, according to APD, Rodriguez and Gonzalez were arguing at a relative's baby shower on Saturday — a fight that continued later in the night. Rodriguez was driven home from the party by her sister, Genesis Rodriguez, and her sister's boyfriend, Gilbert Gallegos, a police spokesman, said in the release.

But Gonzalez and Rodriguez met up at 920 Louisiana SE and continued to argue inside the residence. Genesis Rodriguez waited outside, until Gonzalez opened the door. Genesis Rodriguez pulled out a handgun; Gonzalez then produced his own, Gallegos said.

Genesis Rodriguez dropped her weapon as Gonzalez pushed the two women out of the apartment, police said. Demanding that Gonzalez return Genesis Rodriguez's gun, the two sisters and Genesis Rodriguez's boyfriend banged on the door, until Gonzalez opened the door, pointing the gun at the group, according to police.

Police said a struggle over the gun ensued, and Gonzalez said he remembers firing one shot during the tussle, according to police. His girlfriend, Rodriguez, and a second victim were struck in the conflict, police said. Rodriguez died at the scene. The second victim was transported to a local hospital and treated for his injuries.