ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Byron Rosetta, 35, of Albuquerque, N.M., made an initial appearance today in federal court in Albuquerque on a criminal complaint charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon and discharging a firearm in the commission of a violent crime in Indian Country.
According to the criminal complaint, Rosetta, an Indian, allegedly committed the offense on the Kewa Pueblo (formerly known as the Santo Domingo Pueblo) in Sandoval County on April 5. The incident happened on State Road 22 near mile marker 2.5. Rosetta was driving a dark sedan when he passed and shot at a passing vehicle, narrowly missing the unsuspecting driver. Rosetta used a shotgun and shot birdshot pellets into the driver’s vehicle. The pellets damaged the vehicle coming very close to injuring the driver.
The criminal complaint also alleges that between February 3 and April 4 Rosetta shot at several other drivers near I-25 from his vehicle and from the roadside. Rosetta used various firearms, including a .38 caliber pistol. Several victims suffered injuries and damage to their windshields and other parts of their vehicles.
The New Mexico State Police and FBI identified Rosetta as a primary suspect, conducted surveillance, and the FBI arrested him in Albuquerque on April 11.
Police did not indicate a motive for the shootings.
