New Mexico teen accused of killing parents, 3 younger siblings

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Bernalillo Sheriff Deputies investigate at the scene of the multiple homicide at South Valley in Albuquerque, N.M., on Sunday Jan. 20, 2013.

/ AP Photo/The Albuquerque Journal, Adolphe Pierre-Louis

(CBS/AP) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A 15-year-old New Mexico teen is accused of shooting his parents and three younger siblings to death over the weekend.

Investigators trying to piece together what led to the violence late Saturday night found several guns believed to have been used in the shootings, including one assault rifle, Bernalillo County Sheriff Dan Houston said Sunday. The owner of the weapons has not been determined.

"There's no other way to say it, except that we have a horrific crime scene down there that we are working on," said Houston.

Nehemiah Griego, 15, was arrested following the shootings at the residence in a rural area southwest of downtown Albuquerque, the sheriff's department said. He was charged with two counts of murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death.

Authorities identified the victims as Greg Griego, 51, his wife Sara Griego, 40, and three of their children: a 9-year-old boy, Zephania Griego, and daughters Jael Griego, 5, and Angelina Griego, 2.

Greg Griego was a spiritual leader known for his work with firefighters and the 13 years he spent as a volunteer chaplain at the county jail.

"Chaplain Griego was a dedicated professional that passionately served his fellow man and the firefighters of this community," Fire Chief James Breen said in a statement. "His calming spirit and gentle nature will be greatly missed."

Griego also was a former member of the pastoral staff at Calvary, a Christian church in Albuquerque. As part of his work there, he oversaw the Straight Street program for jail inmates.

Authorities declined to release details of any conversation that the 15-year-old had with investigators, but they said he was the Griegos' son. The sheriff's office said he is charged with two counts of murder and three counts of child abuse resulting in death.

Sources told CBS affiliate KRQE that Nehemiah Griego was homeschooled, and the Albuquerque public school system confirmed that the 15-year old was not registered with the school district.

The station also found an online dating profile for Nehemiah Griego in which he describes himself as "a fun loving guy who [likes] to make [people] happy."

The sheriff's office said it wouldn't release any further information about the case until Sheriff Dan Houston holds a news conference Tuesday morning.

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by TLG8PRO January 21, 2013 1:52 PM EST

Of course, the first question that pops into my mind (and surely I'm not the only one): what anti-depressants or other mental illness drugs was this kid on? Can someone please ask that question?

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by VA_Jill January 21, 2013 2:15 PM EST: I doubt it. Evangelical homeschooling types usually don't go that route.....drugs are anathema and God can cure any kind of problem if you just pray hard enough.


by get_down January 21, 2013 1:18 PM EST: This 15-year-old boy who's Homeschooled and has an "online dating profile" called someone (after he committed the horrific murder of his own parents and three of his siblings), and that person called 911. Make me wonder is "that person" whom he connected through his online dating site? Hummm ...young love is always so fragile and unpredictable.; Reply to this comment