Update – Santa Fe Police confirm Zachary Babitz is in custody. Babitz was wanted in connection to the fatal shooting of 83-year-old Gordon Peter Wilson at a local Best Buy. The suspect was taken into custody in Las Cruces.

Around 6:33 p.m. on August 10, 2024, Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority received a report of an armed robbery at an Arby’s at 2341 East Lohman in Las Cruces. Babitz and an unknown female fled the area and allegedly committed a second armed robbery (carjacking).

The pair fled in a Silver Impala but crashed the vehicle a short time later. Babitz and the woman fled on foot. The Las Cruces Police Department apprehended Babitz. The woman was not apprehended.

 

Original – The Santa Fe Police Department has identified the alleged shooter in the fatal shooting of 83-year-old Gordon Peter Wilson. SFPD reports that it identified the Best Buy shooting suspect as 38-year-old Zachary Ryan Babitz of Glendale, California.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Babitz for the fatal shooting of 83-year-old Gordon Peter Wilson. Babitz is charged with Murder, Robbery, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. SFPD says Babitz was released from prison in March 2024.

He also has an extensive criminal record which includes Robbery, Receiving or Transferring a Stolen Motor Vehicle, and more. Detectives say they managed to locate and recover the victim’s vehicle in Albuquerque. Detectives carried out one search warrant at a residence in Albuquerque.

At this time, Babitz is at large. He is known to reside in Edgewood, New Mexico, but also has ties to California, Arizona, and Nevada. Anyone who sees him is asked to contact 911 immediately.