Dramatic courtroom footage captured the moment a shackled murder suspect was chased down and attacked by his alleged target’s uncle during a procedural hearing in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Alexander Ortiz, who stands accused of shooting his ex-girlfriend Alianna Farfan, 20, in her bedroom last year, appeared before a judge on Friday when chaos erupted. Surveillance video obtained by KRQE shows Carlos Lucero, Farfan’s uncle, suddenly leaping over the courtroom barrier and rushing toward Ortiz.
Despite being flanked by court security, Ortiz attempted to flee but was quickly taken to the ground by Lucero, who began throwing punches. During the incident, another man identified as Pete Ysasi emerged from the gallery and appeared to kick the suspect off-camera. The suspect’s father, Joeray Ortiz, then approached and threw punches in what police reports described as an attempt to “break up” the situation.
A corrections officer intervened as stunned lawyers, defendants, and spectators watched before law enforcement restored order. Ortiz, who is accused of being abusive to Farfan before her death, sustained facial cuts during the incident.
Lucero, 40, and Ysasi, 51, were subsequently charged with assault and battery of a peace officer. According to the police report, Lucero later told authorities that Ortiz “killed my niece like a coward” and declared “it was worth every moment.”
The charges against Ortiz stem from Farfan’s death at her apartment in January last year, where friends reportedly heard a gunshot and discovered her shot in the face after forcing entry into her room. Ortiz allegedly escaped through a window. He is also charged with the murder of Nicole Maldonado at Adam Food Market on January 17, 2024, and faces additional charges related to both deaths.
Katina Watson, CEO of Second Judicial District Court, emphasized the need for increased security following several recent violent incidents. “This is just one more incident that we continue to deal with, these are the types of things that we see regularly,” Watson said, commending the Metropolitan Detention Center officer “who was caught in the middle of this and he did everything he could to ensure the safety of everyone.”
