Aug. 11—Zachary Babitz, charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 83-year-old Gordon Wilson of Santa Fe in an apparent carjacking Aug. 6 in the Best Buy parking lot, was arrested Saturday night in Las Cruces.
In a Facebook post Sunday, Las Cruces police announced Babitz, 38, was booked into the Doña Ana County jail on several charges from Santa Fe, including first-degree murder and robbery.
Police found Babitz following reports of an armed robbery and carjacking at an Arby’s restaurant in Las Cruces, according to the post.
Around 6:30 p.m. Saturday, he and a suspected female accomplice — who has not yet been identified by police — are accused of pointing a firearm at a restaurant employee and demanded money and then forcing a woman out of her car and fleeing in the vehicle, Las Cruces police said.
The car crashed about two miles away, according to the post. Although both suspects ran from the crash, police found and detained Babitz nearby.
Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber issued a statement Sunday on the arrest. “I’m grateful to the Santa Fe Police Department, the Las Cruces Police Department, and the other law enforcement agencies that worked together to mount a swift and effective hunt for the suspect in the brutal murder of Gordon Wilson,” the mayor said.
“I’m also grateful that, as far as we know, the fugitive didn’t seriously hurt anyone else in New Mexico during his flight from arrest,” he added. “Nothing will bring Gordon Wilson back, and our hearts go out to his family and friends. But the apprehension of this suspect brings us closer to justice and healing.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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