Topline: An Albuquerque mother is accused of letting teens drink at her son’s party where a 19-year-old later died by suicide with a stolen gun.
Published: December 4, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Gavin Fish
I'm the founder of CrimeCod and I run a true crime YouTube channel you might be interested in.
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Crystal Aguilar, courtesy of the Metropolitan Detention Center.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — A New Mexico mother was arrested after allegedly providing alcohol to teens at a high school graduation party where a 19-year-old fatally shot himself, according to police and court records.
Crystal Aguilar, 40, faces a fourth-degree felony charge of giving alcohol to minors in connection with the May 31 party at her Albuquerque home. She was arrested on Friday and later released on her own recognizance.
The fatal shooting happened just after midnight in Aguilar’s backyard on the 10300 block of Johncock SW. According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court and obtained by the Albuquerque Journal, officers arrived to find the young man dead with a stolen handgun underneath his body. Nearby, they found empty alcohol bottles and fireworks debris.
The Bernalillo County Office of the Medical Investigator said the teen’s injuries appeared to be self-inflicted. A crime scene specialist confirmed that assessment, the complaint states.
Despite the shooting occurring in Aguilar’s yard, no adults at the scene told police they witnessed it. Aguilar said she had gone outside “to hype the kids up and dance” when she heard the gunshot and saw the teen fall.
In the days and weeks following the incident, detectives interviewed multiple witnesses. Several said Aguilar knowingly allowed minors to drink alcohol. One young woman told police Aguilar was “taking shots and loading a table with alcohol bottles,” telling teens they could drink whatever was available. She also provided police with cellphone videos showing Aguilar drinking Pink Whitney and dancing with the group shortly before the shooting.
Another video from around 10 p.m. showed the group — including the deceased teen — drinking Twisted Teas.
The teen’s companion that night said he had seemed fine earlier in the day. She also said Aguilar had told attendees no guns were allowed, and she had warned the teen not to bring his weapon inside.
Despite those warnings, police said the teen had posted an Instagram video during the party holding a gun and expressing that he felt sad. That video was not recovered, but others on his account showed him previously using substances and posing with firearms.
The teen’s brother told investigators he had never shown signs of suicidal thoughts or depression. An autopsy later confirmed that the teen was intoxicated when he died.
Aguilar’s defense attorney, Aaron Mitchell, said the party was initially meant to be a family event, but “unknown individuals” arrived after the address was shared online. He argued Aguilar had no reason to believe other guests were underage and noted New Mexico law includes an exception for parents providing alcohol to their own children in their home.
“More information should come out” as the case develops, Mitchell said.
Aguilar was not charged until November 17. Police did not explain the delay, though court records indicate that witness interviews continued into the fall.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7, or use online chat services. If you are outside the U.S., local resources are available through international crisis hotlines.
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Mom Charged After Teen Fatally Shoots Himself at Graduation Party She Allegedly Supplied With Alcohol
An Albuquerque mother is accused of letting teens drink at her son’s party where a 19-year-old later died by suicide with a stolen gun.
By Gavin Fish
Published: December 4, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Crystal Aguilar, courtesy of the Metropolitan Detention Center.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — A New Mexico mother was arrested after allegedly providing alcohol to teens at a high school graduation party where a 19-year-old fatally shot himself, according to police and court records.
Crystal Aguilar, 40, faces a fourth-degree felony charge of giving alcohol to minors in connection with the May 31 party at her Albuquerque home. She was arrested on Friday and later released on her own recognizance.
The fatal shooting happened just after midnight in Aguilar’s backyard on the 10300 block of Johncock SW. According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court and obtained by the Albuquerque Journal, officers arrived to find the young man dead with a stolen handgun underneath his body. Nearby, they found empty alcohol bottles and fireworks debris.
The Bernalillo County Office of the Medical Investigator said the teen’s injuries appeared to be self-inflicted. A crime scene specialist confirmed that assessment, the complaint states.
Despite the shooting occurring in Aguilar’s yard, no adults at the scene told police they witnessed it. Aguilar said she had gone outside “to hype the kids up and dance” when she heard the gunshot and saw the teen fall.
In the days and weeks following the incident, detectives interviewed multiple witnesses. Several said Aguilar knowingly allowed minors to drink alcohol. One young woman told police Aguilar was “taking shots and loading a table with alcohol bottles,” telling teens they could drink whatever was available. She also provided police with cellphone videos showing Aguilar drinking Pink Whitney and dancing with the group shortly before the shooting.
Another video from around 10 p.m. showed the group — including the deceased teen — drinking Twisted Teas.
The teen’s companion that night said he had seemed fine earlier in the day. She also said Aguilar had told attendees no guns were allowed, and she had warned the teen not to bring his weapon inside.
Despite those warnings, police said the teen had posted an Instagram video during the party holding a gun and expressing that he felt sad. That video was not recovered, but others on his account showed him previously using substances and posing with firearms.
The teen’s brother told investigators he had never shown signs of suicidal thoughts or depression. An autopsy later confirmed that the teen was intoxicated when he died.
Aguilar’s defense attorney, Aaron Mitchell, said the party was initially meant to be a family event, but “unknown individuals” arrived after the address was shared online. He argued Aguilar had no reason to believe other guests were underage and noted New Mexico law includes an exception for parents providing alcohol to their own children in their home.
“More information should come out” as the case develops, Mitchell said.
Aguilar was not charged until November 17. Police did not explain the delay, though court records indicate that witness interviews continued into the fall.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Mom Charged After Teen Fatally Shoots Himself at Graduation Party She Allegedly Supplied With Alcohol
An Albuquerque mother is accused of letting teens drink at her son’s party where a 19-year-old later died by suicide with a stolen gun.
By Gavin Fish
Published: December 4, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Crystal Aguilar, courtesy of the Metropolitan Detention Center.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — A New Mexico mother was arrested after allegedly providing alcohol to teens at a high school graduation party where a 19-year-old fatally shot himself, according to police and court records.
Crystal Aguilar, 40, faces a fourth-degree felony charge of giving alcohol to minors in connection with the May 31 party at her Albuquerque home. She was arrested on Friday and later released on her own recognizance.
The fatal shooting happened just after midnight in Aguilar’s backyard on the 10300 block of Johncock SW. According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court and obtained by the Albuquerque Journal, officers arrived to find the young man dead with a stolen handgun underneath his body. Nearby, they found empty alcohol bottles and fireworks debris.
The Bernalillo County Office of the Medical Investigator said the teen’s injuries appeared to be self-inflicted. A crime scene specialist confirmed that assessment, the complaint states.
Despite the shooting occurring in Aguilar’s yard, no adults at the scene told police they witnessed it. Aguilar said she had gone outside “to hype the kids up and dance” when she heard the gunshot and saw the teen fall.
In the days and weeks following the incident, detectives interviewed multiple witnesses. Several said Aguilar knowingly allowed minors to drink alcohol. One young woman told police Aguilar was “taking shots and loading a table with alcohol bottles,” telling teens they could drink whatever was available. She also provided police with cellphone videos showing Aguilar drinking Pink Whitney and dancing with the group shortly before the shooting.
Another video from around 10 p.m. showed the group — including the deceased teen — drinking Twisted Teas.
The teen’s companion that night said he had seemed fine earlier in the day. She also said Aguilar had told attendees no guns were allowed, and she had warned the teen not to bring his weapon inside.
Despite those warnings, police said the teen had posted an Instagram video during the party holding a gun and expressing that he felt sad. That video was not recovered, but others on his account showed him previously using substances and posing with firearms.
The teen’s brother told investigators he had never shown signs of suicidal thoughts or depression. An autopsy later confirmed that the teen was intoxicated when he died.
Aguilar’s defense attorney, Aaron Mitchell, said the party was initially meant to be a family event, but “unknown individuals” arrived after the address was shared online. He argued Aguilar had no reason to believe other guests were underage and noted New Mexico law includes an exception for parents providing alcohol to their own children in their home.
“More information should come out” as the case develops, Mitchell said.
Aguilar was not charged until November 17. Police did not explain the delay, though court records indicate that witness interviews continued into the fall.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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