A mother from New Mexico has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after she helped her teenage children track down and fatally shoot a man they believed was stalking them. The case, filled with disturbing details and emotional confessions, has shocked the community of Albuquerque.
The Incident: A Tragic Night in October 2023
On the evening of October 18, 2023, 35-year-old Raeanna Ruiz drove her 15-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter to an apartment complex in Albuquerque. The family believed a man named Santiago Roybal, 19, had been watching the teenage girl through her bedroom window and was stalking her for months.
Surveillance footage showed Roybal running away from a white SUV, which was later confirmed to be driven by Ruiz. Her daughter, Dylana Barela, was seen carrying a gun, while her son, Christopher Barela, held a baseball bat. Roybal managed to run into an apartment, but shots were fired even after the door was closed.
Police said a female voice — believed to be Ruiz — was heard yelling, “Shoot through the door.” Roybal was fatally struck and died at the scene. A friend of Roybal, who had let him into the apartment, was also injured.
What Led to the Violence?
According to court records, the daughter had earlier spotted someone in their backyard and believed it was the same man stalking her. She informed her mother and picked up a gun, while her brother grabbed a baseball bat. The trio then got into their SUV and drove just a few blocks to confront the man.
Once at the apartment complex, Ruiz allegedly encouraged her daughter to shoot Roybal. In a later statement, the daughter said, “It was not supposed to happen this way,” and claimed they only meant to beat him and “maybe pistol-whip him a few times.”
How Police Tracked Them Down
The white SUV used in the incident had several unique features — specific rims, taillights, and a dealership logo — that helped police identify the vehicle. Officers also found a Facebook conversation where Ruiz asked for a lawyer and discussed the event with a friend, who had earlier told her to “Go get them gangster.”
After the shooting, Ruiz tried to hide the SUV by covering it with a tarp at a friend’s house.
The Court’s Verdict and Sentencing
Raeanna Ruiz pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, conspiracy, and aggravated battery. On June 27, 2025, she was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Her two children, Dylana and Christopher Barela, are also facing murder charges and remain in custody at the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center.
This tragic case shows how fear, emotions, and poor decisions can quickly lead to devastating consequences. A family’s desire to protect each other turned into a deadly act of vigilante justice.
As Raeanna Ruiz begins her prison sentence, the legal cases against her children are still ongoing, and a young man’s life has been lost forever.
