ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A local woman is set to spend the next 20 years in prison following her involvement in a murder case that also implicated her teenage daughter. Raeanna Ruiz appeared before Judge Cindy Leos for sentencing in connection with the death of Santiago Roybal.
Roybal’s grandmother shared an emotional statement in court, describing the profound impact his death has had on their family. “He was someone who always sought peace and avoided conflict,” she said, highlighting the void left by his absence.
The incident occurred on October 18, 2023, when Ruiz, along with her 16-year-old daughter Dylana Bertela and another minor, pursued a man through northeast Albuquerque after Bertela reported seeing him in their backyard. The chase ended at an apartment complex on Tulane.
Court footage revealed the chilling sequence of events as one of the minors approached Roybal on the stairs, followed by another minor brandishing a gun. Moments later, gunfire erupted, shattering the silence and resulting in Roybal’s death and another man being injured.
During the sentencing, a voice from the courtroom demanded justice, asserting, “I ask that she gets everything that’s coming to her.” This sentiment reflected the gravity of the crime and the community’s call for accountability.
Judge Leos delivered a 20-year sentence to Ruiz for second-degree murder and additional charges, underscoring the severity of her actions. Meanwhile, Ruiz’s daughter, Dylana Bertela, faces her own legal proceedings in the near future.
The case has sparked discussions about parental influence and the involvement of minors in criminal activities, raising questions about the broader societal factors at play.
As the community grapples with the tragedy, many hope the sentencing will bring some measure of closure to Roybal’s family while serving as a deterrent to future crimes.