Authorities say a New Mexico man allegedly shot and killed two people inside a southwest Albuquerque home after claiming he received an “encrypted message” instructing him to kill, according to reports and law enforcement statements.
Deputies from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office responded to the home shortly before 10:30 p.m. Friday, where they found two men dead from gunshot wounds. The victims have not yet been publicly identified.
Alexis Hernandez, 25, was taken into custody at the scene and booked Saturday morning on two open counts of murder, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
Three other adults and two young children were also in the house at the time but were unharmed. When deputies arrived, Hernandez answered the door armed with a handgun and wearing a Marine Corps saber on his hip, according to an arrest affidavit.
Authorities said Hernandez told deputies there were two dead men inside and described himself as a Marine. During questioning, he claimed one of the victims—whom he considered a friend—had been stalking him and planting cameras in light fixtures. He further alleged that he had received an “encrypted message in a cockroach” directing him to kill one of the men.
The affidavit also stated that Hernandez reported hearing “creepy voices coming from the vents” and said he believed he needed to act before one of the victims killed him.
According to NBC News, Hernandez had recently purchased a Glock handgun for protection. On Friday, he allegedly shot one victim—identified as the homeowner—in the head and then shot the second man in the kitchen. Investigators say he left briefly to retrieve more ammunition from his vehicle before returning to shoot the men again.
Police said Hernandez admitted that two young children witnessed the shootings but insisted he did not intend to harm them.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has not released further details and did not immediately respond to media requests for comment.
President Trump has been briefed on the situation as law enforcement continues to investigate the disturbing case.