FBI investigating deadly New Mexico road rage shooting
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Wednesday that it is conducting its own investigation into the death of a 4-year-old girl who was shot during an apparent road rage incident on a New Mexico highway.
Special Agent Carol Lee said during a press conference Wednesday that the agency is also assisting the Albuquerque Police Department in its investigation into the Tuesday shooting, which ended with Lilly Garcia dying on the side of the road as the suspect fled.
"This means we will use any and all means at our disposal," Lee said.
Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden, Jr. said during the ress conference that the victim's father had just picked up her and her 7-year-old brother from school when "some type of incident happened, it's unclear still what exactly that incident was, other than the fact that it was road rage."
The suspect was apparently targeting Lilly's father when he fired at the family's Dodge pickup truck.
"The father, recognizing that he did in fact hear shots, saw that his daughter was bleeding, pulled to the side of the road and triedto administer first aid," Eden said. It is not clear how many shots were fired.
Lilly's father and brother were unharmed in the shooting.
Police are searching for a newer model red or maroon Toyota sedan in connection with the shooting.
Police say the suspect's car may have been a Corolla or Camry, described as a "sportier" model with a spoiler on the trunk, and dark, tinted windows. The car had a gray University of New Mexico license plate, with an image of the school's "Lobo" wolf mascot on it.
The left side of the plate may also contain the digits "200," according to police.
The suspect is described as a white male with a dark complexion. He is in his mid-20's to early 30's, according to police, and has short dark hair, possibly in a fade haircut. Police say the suspect has a thin, manicured goatee, a thin face, soft jaw, and average build.
He was wearing a black shirt with gold or yellow writing on it at the time of the shooting, according to police.
Eden said police pieced together the information they have from tips that poured in through the night.
"More than a dozen leads have helped us put this information together," Eden said.
If the suspect is caught, he is likely to face charges for murder, child abuse and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges, according to Sgt. Liz Thomson of the Albuquerque Police Department's Violent Crimes and Homicide Unit. Thomson said during the press conference that more charges may be added.
A total of $26,000 in reward money is being offered for information leading to the suspect's arrest: $20,000 from the City of Albuquerque, $5,000 from the FBI and $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.