Teen arrested in killing of USPS mail carrier in Albuquerque

Authorities in Albuquerque, New Mexico have arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of murder in the fatal shooting of an on-duty Postal Service mail carrier.

Police said the teen was arrested without incident Wednesday night at a home in Albuquerque.

Police said previously that Jose Hernandez was shot Monday while intervening in a dispute between the 17-year-old and his mother in front of the mother’s home.

The Associated Press does not generally identify juveniles accused of crimes. The Albuquerque Journal identified the teenaer as Xavier Zamora.

According to the Albuquerque Journal, police said Zamora was arguing with his mother outside their home on Monday afternoon. Hernandez was working his mail route when he came upon the fight and intervened, the newspaper reports.

Court records obtained by the newspaper allege Zamora “became aggressive” and Hernandez maced the teen, who then got a gun from inside the house and shot Hernandez.

It’s not immediately known whether the boy has a defense attorney who could comment on his behalf.

Hernandez had worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Albuquerque for 12 years.