Albuquerque, New Mexico – A dramatic scene unfolded in an Albuquerque courtroom when a man attacked a murder suspect accused of killing his niece, escalating into a chaotic brawl. The suspect, Alexander Ortiz, was standing in the courtroom when a man identified as Carlos Lucero leaped over a partition and launched an assault.
CCTV footage captured the moment Lucero lunged at Ortiz, causing both to fall to the ground in a violent scuffle. The courtroom descended into chaos as multiple individuals, including Ortiz’s father, Joeray Ortiz, joined the fray. Two women attempted to intervene but ended up getting involved in the melee.
The incident, which occurred on a Friday morning in Albuquerque, was fueled by emotions as Lucero expressed his anger over the alleged murder of his niece by Ortiz. Lucero later stated that attacking Ortiz was justified, given the circumstances.
Authorities intervened to break up the brawl, ultimately identifying a second man, Pete Ysasi, as another participant. Both Lucero and Ysasi now face charges of assault and battery on a peace officer.
Ortiz’s legal troubles stem from a previous incident in January 2024 when he was charged with the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Alianna Farfan. Farfan was found shot in her bedroom, with Ortiz also facing accusations of another woman’s murder just a week later.
The courtroom brawl serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement and court officials in maintaining order during legal proceedings. While incidents like these are rare, they underscore the potential for volatile situations to arise in the justice system.