Grieving uncle attacks niece’s alleged killer in courtroom brawl

The victim’s uncle leapt over a barrier and attacked the murder suspect resulting in a wild brawl he said was “worth every moment”.

Wild scenes erupted in a US courtroom when a man lashed out at his niece’s alleged killer, setting off a brawl that was captured on video.

The mourning uncle of a 23-year-old murder victim jumped over a barrier during a routine pre-trial hearing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, last week.

He then tackled the defendant, Alexander Ortiz, 21, before several others intervened in an attempt to defuse the situation.

However, the fight only escalated, ending in multiple people being placed in handcuffs.

According to local news outlet KRQE, police detained two men following the fight, the victim’s uncle, Carlos Lucero, 40, and another man, Pete Ysasi, 51, who joined in on the attack.

Mr Ortiz’s father, Joeray Ortiz, also became involved and threw punches, but he later told deputies that he was trying to break up the fight.

A murder victim’s uncle has attacked the suspect in court. Picture: KRQE

Correction officers attempted to protect Mr Ortiz while enduring blows from the two attackers before successfully breaking up the fight.

Bernalillo County sheriff’s deputies present in the courtroom reported that Mr Lucero said while being detained, “He killed my niece like a coward,” adding that “it was worth every moment.”

Both Mr Lucero and Mr Ysasi are facing charges of assault and battery on a peace officer.

They have since been released according to jail records.

It is unclear whether Mr Ysasi knew the defendant.

Both men were treated at a hospital along with Joeray Ortiz.

Wild footage of the brawl has since gone viral. Picture: KRQE

The district court said this incident emphasised the importance of security in the courtroom.

“This is just one more incident that we continue to deal with, these are the types of things that we see regularly,” said Katina Watson, CEO, Second Judicial District Court.

She also commended the officer involved for his response to the situation.

“I really want to give recognition to the officer who was caught in the middle of this and he did everything he could to ensure the safety of everyone,” Ms Watson added.

Alexander Ortiz, 21, is accused of murdering two women, including his ex-girlfriend Alianna Farfan. Picture: APD

Ms Farfan was a mum-of-two. Picture: Legacy.com

Alexander Ortiz is accused of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend Alianna Farfan in January 2024.

Detectives allege that the two had an abusive relationship and that Mr Ortiz was upset with Ms Farfan on the day of the shooting.

In February 2024, Mr Ortiz was charged with murder and later charged with murdering another woman, Nicole Maldonado, just six days after Ms Farfan was killed.

Following Ms Farfan’s death, Mr Lucero and his wife were granted custody of her one-year-old daughter, as reported by the Albuquerque Journal.

Originally published as Grieving uncle attacks niece’s alleged killer in courtroom brawl