Murdered man is politician's son

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The man killed in a still unexplained shooting Monday morning was a member of a prominent political family.

Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department homicide detectives continue to work on the case that left a second man wounded. So far investigators have released only a few details including the dead man's name.

He is Ralph Chavez, 45, the son of state Rep. Ernest Chavez, a Democrat who has represented part of Albuquerque's South Valley since 2004.

Ralph Chavez was shot multiple times and died at the scene, a home on La Vega SW near Isleta and Arenal and just a street away from the representative's home.

Another man was also found with gunshot wounds at the scene and taken to the hospital. He is recovering from being shot in the hip and lower back. His name is not being released.

Deputies are still trying to figure out exactly what happened. They haven't said if the men shot each other or if there is another suspect on the loose.

The representative's family did not want to comment on the shooting.

The Sheriff's Office said it can't release any other details because the investigation is still too fresh.

Deputies are interviewing the man in the hospital and neighbors in the area.

Rep. Chavez, who is up for re-election in November, is the father of six children.