APD arrests suspect in November murder at Central Ave Motel

ALBUQUERQUE – APD detectives arrested Jonathan Morales today at the same Central Avenue motel where he is accused of murdering Adan Valenzuela-Morales last month.

The suspect and victim are not related.

Homicide detectives charged Jonathan Morales, 35, on Nov. 20, after concluding that he fatally shot Adan Valenzuela-Morales, 27, at the Loma Verde Motel, located at 7503 Central Ave., N.E. The shooting occurred on Nov. 15, at 9:17 a.m., according to a ShotSpotter activation that registered three shots at the motel. Valenzuela-Morales was later dropped off at a local hospital, where he died as a result of his wounds.

A witness later told detectives that he saw the victim talking to three women when he heard several loud pops, which he believed were gunshots. He saw the victim fall to the ground. The witness provided a description of the shooter and identified Jonathan Morales in a photo array.

Jonathan Morales is charged with an open count of murder and tampering with evidence.

###