Albuquerque, New Mexico – Authorities say a late-night graduation gathering at a family home ended in tragedy after a teenager fatally shot himself in the backyard, leading to criminal charges against the homeowner who allegedly provided alcohol to minors.
Police say 40-year-old Crystal Aguilar allowed her adult sons to host a party at her home on May 31, and that the gathering quickly escalated after it was shared on social media, drawing in numerous underage guests. According to a criminal complaint, officers allege that Aguilar supplied alcohol that several teens consumed throughout the night, including a 19-year-old guest who later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
What Police Say Happened at the Party
Court documents obtained by local reporting indicate Aguilar initially agreed to let her sons invite 10 to 15 guests, but attendance grew significantly when the event surfaced online. Witnesses told investigators that Aguilar placed out “a variety of alcoholic beverages” accessible to teenagers.
Police say several underage attendees drank that night, including one who arrived with a firearm. Officers were called to the home after reports of a gunshot in the backyard, where they found the teen critically wounded. Medical personnel confirmed he died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound…