Support for shooter humbling, wife says

BELEN, N.M. (KRQE) - The former Marine who contends he acted in self-defense when he killed a burglary suspect was just trying to do the right thing, his wife told News 13 Monday.

Heather Sanchez said she was in shock when she heard about the July 4 shooting. Her husband, Luke Sanchez, was arrested on an open count of murder and has since bonded out of jail.

The shooting ignited a public debate over whether Sanchez was acting as a vigilante or as a good citizen who defended himself when one of the burglars attacked him.

"I have received so many calls and letters and visits it's so overwhelming," Heather Sanchez said in an interview. "Luke and I are just humbled by how much community support we have, people I don't know, people from across the country."

Luke Sanchez told investigators he had gone out on Fourth of July evening to buy sparklers for his wife and child. But along the way he called 911 to report witnessing two men breaking into Enchantment Propane in Belen.

He followed the men's minivan. But when the van stopped Sanchez said Gary Gabaldón came at him, broke out his truck window and tried to attack him.

That's when Sanchez shot and killed Gabaldón.

The other accused burglar, Rudy Sisneros, drove away from the scene that night but turned himself in and was arrested a few days later.

Heather Sanchez said her husband, a former military police officer, is a good man "who just wanted to do the right thing."

The District Attorney Lemuel Martinez said last week he will consider Sanchez's claim of self-defense but is waiting for the investigation to be completed before deciding how to proceed with the case.