ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Nearly a year after her murder, Albuquerque Police are charging a teen with the death of 21-year-old Cayla Campos, the aspiring dental hygienist shot and killed while playing Pokemon Go at a park.

According to a criminal complaint, 19-year-old Izaiah Garcia is facing an open count of murder for the death of Campos. Police say Campos was playing the video game with her boyfriend at Bianchetti Part last October when they witnessed a robbery. Police say they tried to drive away but Garcia fired shots, hitting Campos. She was rushed to the hospital where she died.

“At 21 years old, she did touch a lot of lives, but had so much more to give,” said Campos’ father, Carl Campos. He spoke with KRQE News 13 after Campos’ death.

Garcia, however, is connected to a second devastating crime. A few weeks before Campos was killed, 17-year-old Sandia High School student, Sean Markey, was shot and killed at a homecoming after-party near Montgomery and Eubank. According to witnesses, Garcia was aiming for a different person, but the bullet hit Markey. Days after Markey’s death, witnesses identified Garcia as the shooter, but no arrests were made. It wasn’t until days after Campos’ death when police arrested Garcia, but only for Markey’s death.

News 13 spoke with the Campos family after the murder charge was filed in the Campos case, they said they are relieved someone has been charged with her murder and believe police have a solid case against Garcia.

“It’s an everyday struggle, you know, to lose a child is something no parent should have to go through,” Carl Campos said after Campos’ death.

KRQE News 13 asked police why it took so long to charge a suspect in the Campos case but did not hear back. In the Campos case, Garcia is charged with murder, assault with intent to commit a violent felony, shooting at a car, armed robbery, and other charges.

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