ABQ Times

The United States Attorney's Office has filed federal charges against Zachary Babitz in connection with a fatal shooting and carjacking that occurred on August 6, 2024, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The charges include carjacking and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Babitz, 38, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for August 20, 2024.

According to the criminal complaint, on the morning of August 6, Santa Fe Police Department (SFPD) officers responded to a call reporting a shooting in the parking lot of Best Buy at 3533 Zafarano Dr. Upon arrival, officers found a male victim with a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite life-saving efforts by medics, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses provided cellphone videos and photographs of the incident. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses including Famous Footwear and Panera Bread captured the suspect, later identified as Babitz, approaching the victim and engaging in a physical altercation before the shooting. Babitz was seen leaving the scene in the victim's Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was later reported stolen.

Further investigation revealed that Babitz had absconded from probation and was identified by the Adult Probation and Parole Office (APPO) as the individual in photos disseminated to the public. According to APPO, on August 1, 2024, Babitz cut off his electronic monitoring device and left a note for law enforcement at his residence in Edgewood, New Mexico. The note stated: “To Law Enforcement this needs to be very clear. My wife had absolutely no clue as to what I planned or am about to do. These were my decisions, and I hid them from her signed this day 8-1-24 10:55am Zachary Babitz.”

On August 10, 2024, Babitz was apprehended in Las Cruces where a 9mm firearm was recovered. Testing is underway to determine if this weapon was used in the Santa Fe incident.

Babitz has a history of felony convictions including armed robbery and carjacking and was released from prison in March 2024.

The investigation is ongoing.

If convicted of these charges, Babitz faces any term of years up to life imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of ATF made this announcement today.

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives investigated this case with assistance from SFPD Albuquerque Police Department and Las Cruces Police Department Assistant U.S Attorney Letitia Carroll Simms is prosecuting it

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt

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