SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Santa Fe Police Department has identified 38-year-old Zachary Ryan Babitz as a suspect in the fatal shooting of 83-year-old Gordon Peter Wilson outside Best Buy earlier this week. The department said he stole Wilson’s 2020 blue Jeep Grand Cherokee and fled the area.
Santa Fe police said they recovered Wilson’s stolen vehicle at an undisclosed location in Albuquerque and that detectives served at least one search warrant at an Albuquerque home as well.
Babitz was charged with murder, robbery, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The department said Babitz was released from prison in March and has an extensive criminal history.
Police said Babitz is known to live in Edgewood but has ties to California, Arizona, and Nevada. He is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, bald with hazel eyes. He has a large number of tattoos on his neck and body. He was last seen wearing black jeans and a bright blue shirt with a button-up shirt underneath, and a white baseball cap.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Rebecca Hilderbrandt at 505-955-5265 or email rrhilderbrandt@santafenm.gov
