A family gathering in Albuquerque ended in a deadly shooting Sunday night after Mark Leib, 64, allegedly returned home and began making threats before an argument escalated, according to investigators.
Police responded to the home in the 6200 block of Sabre Court NW shortly after 11 p.m. on September 20 following reports of a shooting. Officers found Matthew Leib, 34, inside the residence with fatal gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to investigators, Matthew had been at the home with his girlfriend and a friend. The group had been spending time together earlier in the day when Mark Leib returned from work and allegedly began saying that he was going to kill someone and hurt people inside the house.
Matthew’s girlfriend reportedly tried to calm the situation and persuaded Leib to go into his bedroom. Investigators say the situation escalated when he later came back out carrying a shotgun.
The woman told police that Leib allegedly confronted her while holding the firearm and threatened to kill her. A physical struggle followed before Matthew and the others attempted to leave the house.
Matthew’s friend and girlfriend eventually got outside and left in separate vehicles. They later returned after realizing Matthew had remained inside.
When they came back, investigators say Leib came outside and told them that he had shot his son. The girlfriend then went inside and found Matthew in the hallway. She called 911 and attempted to stay with him.
Police allege that Leib then returned to the residence and struck Matthew’s girlfriend several times with the back of the shotgun while she was holding onto Matthew.
Officers arrived and detained Leib. Matthew was already beyond lifesaving measures when emergency crews reached him.
A neighbor also contacted 911 after hearing a disturbance outside the home, followed by an argument and loud noises that sounded like gunshots. Investigators later obtained another 911 call from a blocked number in which a man identifying himself as Leib repeatedly said that he had killed his son.
Police also said Leib continued making statements about the killing after officers took him into custody.
Investigators searched the residence and recovered the shotgun, two spent shell casings and evidence of bullets striking the walls in the hallway.
Leib was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center and faces an open count of murder, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was reportedly not represented by an attorney at the time of the initial court proceedings.
During an attempted police interview, investigators said Leib was advised of his rights but declined to answer questions, indicating that he intended to invoke his right to remain silent.
The Albuquerque Police Department has listed the September 20 killing on Sabre Court among its 2026 homicide investigations. As of September 21, the department reported 45 homicide victims in Albuquerque during 2026.
The case remains in the criminal court process. The allegations against Leib have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent unless found guilty.
