A courtroom in Albuquerque descended into chaos when a murder suspect was attacked during a hearing by the uncle and stepfather of his alleged victim on Friday, January 31.
Video footage from the Bernalillo County Courthouse shows the dramatic moment when Alexander Ortiz, 21, was rushed by the victim’s family members during a plea hearing.
Ortiz had been arrested in February 2024 in connection with the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend, Alianna Farfan. He pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder charges in March 2024, according to court records.
During the court session, a man identified as the victim’s uncle suddenly leaped over the barrier separating the public gallery from the defendant’s area, charging directly at Ortiz, who attempted to flee. Moments later, another man, believed to be Farfan’s stepfather, followed suit.
A violent brawl ensued, involving several individuals, including Carlos Lucero (the victim’s uncle), Pete Ysasi (the stepfather), Ortiz, a corrections officer, Ortiz’s father, and an unidentified man.
The video shows Lucero and Ysasi repeatedly punching a man wearing jeans and a dark long-sleeved shirt, as the corrections officer struggles to shield Ortiz. The altercation only ended when the officer deployed his Taser to regain control.
According to court documents filed by the state of New Mexico in Metropolitan Court, Lucero and Ysasi were identified as the attackers. Deputies responded to the courtroom around 9:30 a.m. after reports of an active fight.
The documents allege that Lucero and Ysasi jumped the courtroom gate, assaulted Ortiz, and injured the corrections officer in the process.
During his arrest, Lucero reportedly told deputies, “He killed my niece like a coward,” expressing no remorse for his actions.
Lucero later added, “It was worth every moment,” acknowledging that he felt the confrontation was justified despite the legal consequences.
