Albuquerque Man Pleads No Contest in Fatal Shooting
Nicholas Lucio entered a plea following a deadly confrontation at an apartment complex last year.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Violence
Nicholas Lucio has pleaded no contest to conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary in connection with a 2025 shooting. The case follows a confrontation involving the fatal killing of Ann Marie Chaires.
Why it matters
The plea marks a significant development in the investigation into the death of Ann Marie Chaires at an Albuquerque apartment complex. Authorities previously identified the incident as a dispute over a motorcycle that ended in gunfire.
Nicholas Lucio entered a no contest plea to conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary on October 22, 2026. He awaits sentencing at a later date for his role in the incident involving the death of Ann Marie Chaires.
The players
Nicholas Lucio
He is the defendant who entered a no contest plea regarding his role in a fatal apartment complex shooting.
Ann Marie Chaires
She was the woman killed during a confrontation over a motorcycle at her apartment in July 2025.
The details
Lucio and two other men allegedly confronted Ann Marie Chaires at her apartment on Madeira Drive after claiming she had sold one of their motorcycles. When Chaires refused to return the property, one of the men shot and killed her.
Timeline
July 2025: The confrontation and fatal shooting occurred at an apartment complex on Madeira Drive.
October 22, 2026: Nicholas Lucio changed his plea to no contest in court.
Legal Context
This resolution follows established patterns for prosecuting complex conspiracy cases within the New Mexico legal system. The outcome mirrors recent judicial trends for resolving charges involving multiple suspects in residential violence incidents.
The resolution of this case provides closure regarding a violent incident that occurred at a local apartment complex. Residents are reminded to report suspicious activities to law enforcement to assist in maintaining community safety.
The takeaway
Legal plea agreements are often utilized in cases where multiple defendants are involved in a single criminal incident. Residents involved in property disputes should avoid confrontational measures to prevent the escalation of volatile situations.
Further reading
For more information on local legal proceedings, visit the Albuquerque Violence section.
