ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A routine afternoon at a local grocery store’s parking lot turned into chaos as gunshots were fired, resulting in a deadly car crash. A smoke shop owner now faces murder charges after allegedly shooting at a shoplifter attempting to flee.
The incident took place in a shopping center near Lomas and San Mateo, where police discovered a burned-out car and the body of Matthew Sedillo, who had succumbed to a gunshot wound. Mohtasem Mahir Thabata, the owner of Moe’s Smoke Shop, confessed to firing the shots, claiming Sedillo had stolen from his establishment.
Thabata reported that Sedillo took two shirts and a glass bong before making a getaway in a vehicle. Aiming to halt the escape by shooting the tires, Thabata instead struck Sedillo fatally. The car subsequently collided with another vehicle in the parking lot, crossed the street, and caught fire after hitting a curb.
Witnesses described the pandemonium, with one individual observing a man fleeing in a white Toyota Camry, followed by Thabata. Despite his actions, Thabata expressed remorse, stressing his aversion to violence but feeling compelled by Sedillo’s theft.
The stolen goods, worth $75, have sparked debates on the proportionality of using lethal force for property crimes. Thabata, who lacks a significant criminal background in New Mexico, faces a stark contrast with Sedillo’s extensive criminal record. Sedillo, aged 40, had a long history of charges, including burglary and forgery, with many cases dismissed due to incompetency.
As the judicial process unfolds, the incident raises critical questions about self-defense and the potential repercussions of taking justice into one’s own hands. The case highlights the delicate balance between protecting one’s property and the implications of such actions.