APD arrests murder suspect from fatal shooting in June

ALBUQUERQUE – Detectives with APD’s Investigative Support Unit arrested a suspect on Thursday who is accused of fatally shooting a man in June who had allegedly stole his gun.

Detectives arrested Angelo Barrela, 33, in the South Valley. Barrela, a resident of Santa Fe, is accused of tracking down Demetrius O'Neill on June 25, 2023, and shooting him in the area of 6404 Los Volcanes Rd., N.W. O’Neill, 36, was critically injured and died as a result of his wounds on July 7.

Detectives with APD’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit investigated the shooting and determined that Barrela was searching for O’Neill who he suspected of burglarizing his vehicle and stealing his gun. O’Neill’s girlfriend told detectives that O’Neill and Barrela formerly worked together and O’Neill knew that Barrela kept a handgun in his vehicle. She said O’Neill broke in to Barrela’s black SUV and stole the black handgun so he could sell it.

O’Neill’s girlfriend told detectives she was with O’Neill on June 25 while they were delivering meals as part of a door-dash service. They noticed a vehicle following them and recognized Barrela as the driver. She said O’Neill tossed the firearm out of the vehicle, thinking Barrela would stop following them. Instead, she said Barrela sped up and approached O’Neill’s vehicle, firing several gunshots. O’Neill was struck once in the head.

Detectives determined Barrela’s phone was in the area of the shooting and they obtained Facebook messages through a search warrant that showed Barrela attempting to look for O’Neill after the burglary. He posted several threats on Facebook related to the burglary of his gun.

Barrela was booked into the Metro Detention Center on charges of First Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Shooting at or from a Motor Vehicle.

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