APD arrests woman, charges son for Monday's fatal shooting

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

ALBUQUERQUE – APD homicide detectives arrested Kristina Withrow late Monday after she said she handed her handgun to her son to shoot toward another woman during a dispute. Withrow’s son, Kristian Crespin, fired three shots, one of which struck the victim.

Kristina Withrow, 44, was booked into the Metro Detention Center on an open county of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and tampering with evidence. Kristian Crespin, 18, is charged with an open county of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence. Police are searching for Crespin.

The victim, a 36-year-old woman, was transported to a local hospital Monday afternoon where she died as a result of her wound. The victim is not being identified while detectives attempt to locate her next of kin.

Kristina Withrow initially told police she shot the victim. She eventually admitted her son fired the shots after several witnesses told detectives a man fired the handgun and fled the scene.

Withrow said she assumed the victim was homeless and she told her to leave the walkway near her apartment. The two women engaged in an argument. Withrow said she retrieved her handgun as the woman walked toward her. She said she did not know if the woman was armed with any weapons. Withrow handed the gun to her son and said she told her son to shoot. Her son fired three shots, striking the victim.

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