The son of a New Mexico Pastor is charged with killing his parents and three siblings on January 19 in rural South Valley outside of Albuquerque.
According to Bernalillo County Sheriff Dan Houston, Nehemiah Griego, 15, carried out the shootings as a result of being frustrated with his mother. The teen reported having had a "minor, unspecified disagreement" with her on Friday, January 18.
Sarah Griego, 40, home schooled her children. She and her husband were the parents of 10 children.
The teen reported to Sheriff Houston that he has "anger issues"
and had been "having homicidal and suicidal thoughts."
He shot his mother and siblings multiple times in the head with a
.22 caliber rifle. He then used an AR-15 military-style rifle to kill his
father who came home from work about 5 a.m. Saturday morning.
According to authorities, the teen retrieved the rifles and two
shotguns from his parents' closet. Investigators haven't determined the owners
of the guns as yet.
Nehemiah stated that his father taught him how to use the AR-15 and took him shooting regularly.
Griego is remembered for his spiritual leadership, his work with
firefighters and his 13 years of volunteering as a chaplain at the county jail.
"Chaplain Griego was a dedicated professional that passionately served his fellow man and the firefighters of this community," said Fire Chief James Breen in a statement. " His calming spirit and gentle nature will be greatly missed."
The teen intended to drive to a Walmart to conduct more killings but found himself at his father's old church, Calvary Church Albuquerque, where he confessed to a security guard who called the police.
The victims of the shooting were identified as Greg Griego, 51,
his wife Sarah Griego, 40, Zephania Griego, 9, Jael Griego, 5 and Angelina
Griego, 2.
A prayer vigil was held Wednesday night at Calvary Church to
honor the Griego family and offer support to the shooter, who relatives say was
a talented young man who was active in his church's youth ministry.