“MY ACTIONS ARE MY RESPONSIBILITY ALONE”!!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, AUTHORITIES SAY ZACHARY BABITZ CUT HIS ANKLE MONITOR TO EMBARK ON A MULTI-CITY CRIME SPREE, SHOT AN 83-YEAR-OLD MAN TO DEATH IN A PARKING LOT… AND HAS NOW BEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN FEDERAL PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE.
On August 6, 2024, police officers responded to an emergency call reporting a shooting outside a retail business in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The call originated around 10:30 a.m. from the Best Buy location situated at 3533 Zafarano Drive.
Upon arrival, responding officers discovered an elderly man suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest.
Emergency responders initiated lifesaving measures at the scene in an attempt to revive him.
Those lifesaving efforts proved unsuccessful.
The victim was pronounced dead outside the store.
Authorities formally identified the deceased man as 83-year-old Gordon Peter Wilson.
Wilson’s wife later stated that the couple had recently celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary before he was killed.
Investigators gathered visual evidence from the scene almost immediately.
Surveillance camera footage and witness cellphone video captured Zachary Babitz approaching Wilson outside the storefront.
The recorded footage showed the two men becoming involved in a physical confrontation.
Investigators said Babitz shot Wilson in the chest during the struggle.
Babitz then fled the scene in Wilson’s 2020 blue Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Wilson’s stolen vehicle was later recovered by authorities in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The deadly encounter in Santa Fe occurred during an armed crime spree that had begun several days earlier.
Babitz had been released from a New Mexico state prison on March 12, 2024.
His release took place less than five months before Wilson was fatally shot.
His prior criminal history included multiple armed robberies.
He had also accumulated past convictions for receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle.
His record further contained prior convictions for possession of a controlled substance and possession of a deadly weapon by a prisoner.
In addition to his New Mexico record, Babitz had a previous carjacking conviction in California.
On July 30, 2024, Babitz walked into an AutoZone store in Albuquerque armed with a 9-millimeter handgun.
He stole approximately $345 during that robbery.
On July 31, 2024, Babitz robbed a Wells Fargo bank location in Albuquerque.
He took approximately $3,300 from the bank.
On August 1, 2024, Babitz cut off an electronic monitor he was required to wear while on probation.
He then disappeared from authorities.
But before leaving, authorities said Babitz left behind a handwritten note.
The note stated that his wife knew nothing about what he was planning.
Authorities said the note also stated that his actions were his responsibility alone.
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On August 3, 2024, Babitz entered a Jersey Mike’s store and carried out a robbery at gunpoint.
He took cash directly from the register.
He then forced an employee to open a safe inside the store.
Three days later, Wilson was killed outside the Santa Fe Best Buy.
Investigators said Babitz later admitted to shooting Wilson during the confrontation.
Babitz claimed to investigators that Wilson had attempted to grab the gun.
And Babitz continued committing crimes after Wilson’s death.
On August 9, 2024, he committed another carjacking in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
On August 10, 2024, Babitz and an accomplice robbed an Arby’s restaurant in Las Cruces, New Mexico, at gunpoint.
Babitz was then accused of forcing a woman from her Chevrolet Impala.
He allegedly stole the woman’s Impala to flee the scene.
The stolen Impala crashed a short time later.
Babitz fled on foot following the crash.
Law enforcement officers captured him nearby.
Following his arrest, authorities recovered a 9-millimeter handgun.
Federal prosecutors subsequently announced their intention to seek the death penalty against him.
Yet the case did not proceed to a capital trial.
On April 17, 2026, the 40-year-old Babitz pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges.
His guilty plea included carjacking resulting in death.
He pleaded guilty to causing death through the use of a firearm.
He pleaded guilty to bank robbery.
He pleaded guilty to armed robbery.
He pleaded guilty to additional carjackings.
He also pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Under the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed not to pursue the death penalty.
In exchange, Babitz agreed to receive a sentence of life imprisonment.
On September 1, 2026, Babitz appeared in federal court for sentencing.
Babitz addressed the court and said he accepted full responsibility for his actions.
He said he was ready for the court’s judgment.
He was sentenced to life in federal prison.
He was sentenced without the possibility of parole.
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