3rd suspect sought in Denny's shooting

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Stephanie Anderson, 34, was shot and killed while working at an Albuquerque Denny's on Saturday, and now two of the four suspects are behind bars.

Police are still searching for the other two suspects. Police announced late Monday afternoon that Francisco Melgar, 25, from El Salvador is the third suspect in the shooting.

The two suspects in custody are Marvin Aguilar-Lopez, 22, and Pablo Ortiz, 32.

Ortiz was arrested at a phone booth shortly after the crime. Aguilar-Lopez was taken into custody at the Vista mobile home park in a car that matched the description of the getaway vehicle.

Both made their first appearances in Albuquerque's metropolitan court on Monday. Each faced a number of charges, including an open count of murder, armed robbery, kidnapping and child abuse.

The judge ordered that both men be held without bond.

"In reading this complaint, I find the charges horrific, I feel that they will be a continuing danger to the community they are a flight risk, I am going to continue with the hold Judge Murdock set," Judge Rachel Al-Yasi said.

It was a sad scene at the Denny's restaurant Monday, where kitchen worker Stephanie Anderson, 34, was killed days earlier. Anderson worked in the kitchen as a cook or a cook's assistant.

A makeshift memorial has been set up in front of the restaurant, expressing the sentiment "Stephanie, you will be missed."

Nila Garcia didn’t know Anderson, but dropped off a cross and said her prayers are with the victim's family.

"What her last moments were, you know, her thoughts her family, especially not knowing that the door was, someone was going to be coming to their door, and they didn't even know that their child was gone," Garcia said.

Police still don't know if her shooting was deliberate or accidental because of conflicting witness statements.

The Denny's restaurant remains closed, and a spokesperson with their corporate office said the company is deciding whether or not to reopen the restaurant.

Police are asking anyone who sees or knows any information about Franciso Melgar to call 1-877-SOLV-APD.