Carlsbad man charged with murder in botched marijuana robbery

An alleged botched robbery at a park led to the arrest of a Carlsbad man for first-degree murder, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Carlsbad Police Department.

Lorenzo Lopez, 18, was arrested Oct. 20 by police in connection with the death of Eduardo Otero Jr. ,22, near Cruz Fernandez Park Oct. 10, the criminal complaint read.

Police also charged Lopez with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, per the criminal complaint.

Investigators allege Lopez, and four other individuals – including one minor – conspired to steal marijuana from Otero. Police and Eddy County Detention Center records did not indicate if the others were charged or arrested in connection to Otero’s death. 

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Detectives reported in the criminal complaint the robbery went wrong and Otero was shot and around two ounces of marijuana allegedly left the scene.

Officers found Otero on the passenger side of a vehicle after a resident of the Hueco Apartments reported shots fired at the park, police said.

The criminal complaint noted Otero was shot 11 times and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s office contended Lopez was a threat the community, noting two pending charges of battery upon a peace officer and resisting arrest. Both incidents took place days before and after Otero’s alleged murder, court documents read.

“Defendant’s behavior has escalated in a very short time. Defendant has shown a total disregard for human life,” wrote AnneMarie Lewis, senior trial attorney with the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office in court documents submitted Oct. 21 in Eddy County Magistrate Court.