Mom let sons throw a graduation party where she did shots with teens before one boy fatally shot himself
Background: Johncock Ave. in Albuquerque, N.M. (Google Maps). Inset: Crystal Aguilar (Metropolitan Detention Center).
A New Mexico mother is facing legal trouble after allegedly allowing her adult sons to host a party at her home where underage guests were served alcohol, culminating in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old attendee.
Crystal Aguilar, 40, was booked into Albuquerque’s Metropolitan Detention Center on a charge of providing alcohol to minors and later released on her own recognizance. Court documents obtained by the Albuquerque Journal say Aguilar allowed her sons to invite 10 to 15 people to the family home, but the party grew after it was promoted on social media, attracting several teenagers on the night of May 31.
According to a criminal complaint, witnesses said Aguilar provided a variety of alcoholic beverages to the teenage guests, one of whom brought a firearm. Police responded after reports that the 19-year-old had shot himself in the backyard. Emergency personnel determined the gunshot wound was self-inflicted. Aguilar and her husband, both reportedly intoxicated at the time, were questioned by police.
Aguilar told investigators she had stepped outside to “hype up” the party when she heard the gunshot and saw the teen collapse. Another guest at the party said the teen had seemed fine earlier in the day and had been told not to bring a gun, as Aguilar reportedly prohibited firearms. Police confirmed the gun found under the teen’s body was reported stolen.
The same guest said Aguilar was “letting people know they were okay to drink whatever was on the table” and shared cellphone videos showing Aguilar and the teen drinking. Investigators said the teen was intoxicated when he died. While his brother told police the teen had no history of depression or suicidal thoughts, other videos posted on Instagram by the teen that night and in prior weeks showed substance use and handling a gun.
Aguilar’s attorney told the Albuquerque Journal that his client did not anticipate so many unfamiliar people attending the party. He noted that New Mexico law does not prohibit parents from serving alcohol to their own children at home.
Aguilar is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 30.
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