2013 South Valley Homicides
Familicide Mass Shooting Case
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
South Valley, New Mexico
TIME PERIOD
January 19, 2013
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
On January 19, 2013, a mass shooting occurred in South Valley, New Mexico, resulting in the deaths of five members of the Griego family, including the parents and three children. The perpetrator, 15-year-old Nehemiah Griego, used a .22-caliber rifle and a .223-caliber semi-automatic rifle to carry out the killings at their home, starting with his mother and subsequently shooting his siblings and father upon his return from work. Griego was arrested and initially charged as a minor; however, after pleading guilty in October 2015 to two counts of second-degree murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death, his sentence was appealed and ultimately he was sentenced as an adult in 2019. Significant evidence includes Griego's own statements to police, detailing his intentions and the acquisition of the firearms from his parents' closet, as well as a photo he sent to his girlfriend depicting the aftermath of the shootings.
Nehemiah Griego's actions have led to speculation about potential mental health issues, with some believing he may have been influenced by violent video games or media. There are theories regarding the family's dynamics, suggesting possible abuse or dysfunction that could have contributed to his violent behavior. Additionally, discussions around the accessibility of firearms and the responsibilities of parents in securing weapons have emerged in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The 2013 South Valley Homicides: A Family Tragedy in New Mexico
The Crime Scene
In the quiet community of South Valley, New Mexico, a horrific event unfolded in the early hours of January 19, 2013. The Griego family home became the scene of a chilling familicide that day. Five members of the Griego family were murdered, leaving the community in shock and disbelief. The victims were the parents, Greg and Sarah Griego, and their three young children—Zephaniah, Jael, and Angelina.
The perpetrator was none other than the eldest son of the family, 15-year-old Nehemiah Griego. The young boy was arrested and charged with the killings, which he carried out using a .22-caliber Marlin Model 60 semi-automatic rifle and a .223-caliber SIG Sauer 556 SWAT semi-automatic rifle.
The Events of January 19, 2013
Nehemiah Griego's rampage began around midnight in the family's South Valley home, near Albuquerque. It was a night that forever altered the course of several lives. First, Nehemiah shot his mother, Sarah, twice in the face with the .22 rifle. The sound of gunfire awoke his younger brother, nine-year-old Zephaniah. Nehemiah coldly informed Zephaniah of what he had done before shooting him in the head with the same rifle.
The horror continued as Nehemiah moved to the bedroom where his sisters, five-year-old Jael and two-year-old Angelina, were huddled together, crying. He shot each of them in the head, and one was also hit twice in the torso. After this, Nehemiah waited downstairs for the return of his father, Greg Griego, who was working a late shift at a homeless shelter. When Greg came home around 5 a.m., Nehemiah used an AR-15-type semi-automatic rifle to shoot him four times.
In a disturbing twist, Nehemiah then drove to church with the two rifles in the van. There, he told his 12-year-old girlfriend that his family had died in an accident. The pastor, upon receiving news that something was amiss with Greg, asked Nehemiah about his father. Nehemiah confessed that his family was dead. Sensing something was wrong, the pastor and a retired homicide detective from the congregation decided to drive Nehemiah back home. En route, the retired detective called 911.
The Investigation
The investigation into the Griego family murders revealed unsettling details. Nehemiah Griego changed his story multiple times and eventually told police he had been harboring suicidal and homicidal thoughts. It was revealed that he had taken the guns from his parents' closet, weapons that his father had purchased and trained both him and his mother to use. In a chilling act, Nehemiah emailed a photo of his deceased mother to his girlfriend. His initial plan had been to flee, kill more people, and ultimately engage in a fatal gun battle with police.
The Griego Family
The victims of this tragic event were Greg Griego, 51, a former pastor at Calvary Church and a chaplain for the Albuquerque Fire Department, and his wife, Sarah Griego, 40, who was active in prison ministry alongside Greg. The couple had ten children, with Nehemiah being one of the youngest. The murdered children were Zephaniah, Jael, and Angelina. Greg's brother, Eric Griego, is a known New Mexico politician.
Nehemiah Griego: The Perpetrator
Nehemiah Griego, at just 15 years old, was charged with two counts of murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death. He was held in the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center. During his initial police interviews, Nehemiah confessed to being angry at his mother and experiencing suicidal thoughts. He initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
The Legal Proceedings
The case against Nehemiah Griego experienced several complexities, primarily surrounding his mental health evaluations. In January 2015, the case faced delays due to these evaluations. However, by October 2015, Nehemiah pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death. Prior to his plea, he had been held at the Sequoyah Adolescent Treatment Center for 18 months.
The court was faced with determining whether Nehemiah should be treated as a juvenile or tried as an adult. In February 2016, Judge John J. Romero of the New Mexico Children's Court ruled that based on mental health evaluations, Nehemiah was "amenable to treatment" and should be sentenced as a juvenile. This decision meant he would be released from a youth detention facility by the age of 21. However, Bernalillo County District Attorney Kari Brandenburg appealed this ruling.
In August 2019, Judge Alisa Hart of the 2nd Judicial District Court reversed the lower court's decision, finding that Nehemiah, now 22, was "not amenable to treatment or rehabilitation in available facilities." Consequently, Nehemiah was sentenced as an adult. He faced up to 120 years in prison, but there was a possibility of a lesser sentence with continued treatment, though these details remained confidential due to his age at the time of the crime. Ultimately, Nehemiah received three concurrent life sentences plus seven years, to be served consecutively. With credit for time served, Nehemiah must complete 30 years before being eligible for parole. He is currently imprisoned at the Lea County Correctional Center.
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Mass Shooting Occurs
Nehemiah Griego shoots and kills his parents and three siblings in their home.
Nehemiah Griego Arrested
15-year-old Nehemiah Griego is arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder.
Guilty Plea Entered
Nehemiah Griego pleads guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death.
Sentenced as Juvenile
Judge rules that Griego will be sentenced as a juvenile, allowing for potential release at age 21.
DA Appeals Ruling
District Attorney announces intention to appeal the juvenile sentencing ruling.
Sentenced as Adult
Judge rules that Griego will be sentenced as an adult, reversing previous juvenile ruling.
Life Sentences Imposed
Nehemiah Griego is sentenced to three life sentences plus additional years for the murders.
On January 19, 2013, a mass shooting occurred in South Valley, New Mexico, resulting in the deaths of five members of the Griego family, including the parents and three children. The perpetrator, 15-year-old Nehemiah Griego, used a .22-caliber rifle and a .223-caliber semi-automatic rifle to carry out the killings at their home, starting with his mother and subsequently shooting his siblings and father upon his return from work. Griego was arrested and initially charged as a minor; however, after pleading guilty in October 2015 to two counts of second-degree murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death, his sentence was appealed and ultimately he was sentenced as an adult in 2019. Significant evidence includes Griego's own statements to police, detailing his intentions and the acquisition of the firearms from his parents' closet, as well as a photo he sent to his girlfriend depicting the aftermath of the shootings.
Nehemiah Griego's actions have led to speculation about potential mental health issues, with some believing he may have been influenced by violent video games or media. There are theories regarding the family's dynamics, suggesting possible abuse or dysfunction that could have contributed to his violent behavior. Additionally, discussions around the accessibility of firearms and the responsibilities of parents in securing weapons have emerged in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The 2013 South Valley Homicides: A Family Tragedy in New Mexico
The Crime Scene
In the quiet community of South Valley, New Mexico, a horrific event unfolded in the early hours of January 19, 2013. The Griego family home became the scene of a chilling familicide that day. Five members of the Griego family were murdered, leaving the community in shock and disbelief. The victims were the parents, Greg and Sarah Griego, and their three young children—Zephaniah, Jael, and Angelina.
The perpetrator was none other than the eldest son of the family, 15-year-old Nehemiah Griego. The young boy was arrested and charged with the killings, which he carried out using a .22-caliber Marlin Model 60 semi-automatic rifle and a .223-caliber SIG Sauer 556 SWAT semi-automatic rifle.
The Events of January 19, 2013
Nehemiah Griego's rampage began around midnight in the family's South Valley home, near Albuquerque. It was a night that forever altered the course of several lives. First, Nehemiah shot his mother, Sarah, twice in the face with the .22 rifle. The sound of gunfire awoke his younger brother, nine-year-old Zephaniah. Nehemiah coldly informed Zephaniah of what he had done before shooting him in the head with the same rifle.
The horror continued as Nehemiah moved to the bedroom where his sisters, five-year-old Jael and two-year-old Angelina, were huddled together, crying. He shot each of them in the head, and one was also hit twice in the torso. After this, Nehemiah waited downstairs for the return of his father, Greg Griego, who was working a late shift at a homeless shelter. When Greg came home around 5 a.m., Nehemiah used an AR-15-type semi-automatic rifle to shoot him four times.
In a disturbing twist, Nehemiah then drove to church with the two rifles in the van. There, he told his 12-year-old girlfriend that his family had died in an accident. The pastor, upon receiving news that something was amiss with Greg, asked Nehemiah about his father. Nehemiah confessed that his family was dead. Sensing something was wrong, the pastor and a retired homicide detective from the congregation decided to drive Nehemiah back home. En route, the retired detective called 911.
The Investigation
The investigation into the Griego family murders revealed unsettling details. Nehemiah Griego changed his story multiple times and eventually told police he had been harboring suicidal and homicidal thoughts. It was revealed that he had taken the guns from his parents' closet, weapons that his father had purchased and trained both him and his mother to use. In a chilling act, Nehemiah emailed a photo of his deceased mother to his girlfriend. His initial plan had been to flee, kill more people, and ultimately engage in a fatal gun battle with police.
The Griego Family
The victims of this tragic event were Greg Griego, 51, a former pastor at Calvary Church and a chaplain for the Albuquerque Fire Department, and his wife, Sarah Griego, 40, who was active in prison ministry alongside Greg. The couple had ten children, with Nehemiah being one of the youngest. The murdered children were Zephaniah, Jael, and Angelina. Greg's brother, Eric Griego, is a known New Mexico politician.
Nehemiah Griego: The Perpetrator
Nehemiah Griego, at just 15 years old, was charged with two counts of murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death. He was held in the Bernalillo County Juvenile Detention Center. During his initial police interviews, Nehemiah confessed to being angry at his mother and experiencing suicidal thoughts. He initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
The Legal Proceedings
The case against Nehemiah Griego experienced several complexities, primarily surrounding his mental health evaluations. In January 2015, the case faced delays due to these evaluations. However, by October 2015, Nehemiah pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death. Prior to his plea, he had been held at the Sequoyah Adolescent Treatment Center for 18 months.
The court was faced with determining whether Nehemiah should be treated as a juvenile or tried as an adult. In February 2016, Judge John J. Romero of the New Mexico Children's Court ruled that based on mental health evaluations, Nehemiah was "amenable to treatment" and should be sentenced as a juvenile. This decision meant he would be released from a youth detention facility by the age of 21. However, Bernalillo County District Attorney Kari Brandenburg appealed this ruling.
In August 2019, Judge Alisa Hart of the 2nd Judicial District Court reversed the lower court's decision, finding that Nehemiah, now 22, was "not amenable to treatment or rehabilitation in available facilities." Consequently, Nehemiah was sentenced as an adult. He faced up to 120 years in prison, but there was a possibility of a lesser sentence with continued treatment, though these details remained confidential due to his age at the time of the crime. Ultimately, Nehemiah received three concurrent life sentences plus seven years, to be served consecutively. With credit for time served, Nehemiah must complete 30 years before being eligible for parole. He is currently imprisoned at the Lea County Correctional Center.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Shooting Occurs
Nehemiah Griego shoots and kills his parents and three siblings in their home.
Nehemiah Griego Arrested
15-year-old Nehemiah Griego is arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder.
Guilty Plea Entered
Nehemiah Griego pleads guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death.
Sentenced as Juvenile
Judge rules that Griego will be sentenced as a juvenile, allowing for potential release at age 21.
DA Appeals Ruling
District Attorney announces intention to appeal the juvenile sentencing ruling.
Sentenced as Adult
Judge rules that Griego will be sentenced as an adult, reversing previous juvenile ruling.
Life Sentences Imposed
Nehemiah Griego is sentenced to three life sentences plus additional years for the murders.