Staff Reports
CIBOLA COUNTY — A husband and wife are now facing charges after they allegedly shot and killed a person in Candy Kitchen, N.M., on April 18.
The victim was identified as Lucas “Redbeard” Knapp. He was 39 years old at the time of his death.
The incident reportedly occurred between 11 am and 12 pm. The Cibola County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation into this incident.
David Thomas Byington is facing charges of second degree murder, shooting from a motor vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm, and tampering with evidence.
Tania Sue Byington was originally facing charges of accessory to second degree murder and accessory to tampering with evidence, but the second degree murder charge was later dismissed by a prosecutor on April 21.
Both the suspects and witnesses reportedly said Knapp and David didn’t like each other.
“According to the community and according to statements [from the suspects], they did have some confrontations in the past,” lead investigator on the case Deputy April Salazar Salazar said.
The incident reportedly occurred in someone else’s home. Salazar said that fact is playing an important role in her investigation.
Deputies later learned that another victim was reportedly shot at during the incident.
A detention hearing for David scheduled for April 30 in Grants District Court. Tania’s preliminary hearing for the tampering with evidence charge is scheduled for May19 in Grants Magistrate Court.
