A high-profile FBI agent's son faces serious charges in connection with a deadly shooting incident in Downtown Albuquerque.
According to Albuquerque Journal, Thomas Acee, 21, has been charged with murder and multiple other offenses in the August 18 shooting death of 13-year-old Michael Tubb and the injury of a teenage girl in Downtown Albuquerque.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the suspect's connection to FBI Special Agent Bryan Acee, a respected law enforcement figure known for dismantling one of New Mexico's most dangerous gangs, the Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico. The younger Acee was arrested and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center early Friday, where he is being held in solitary confinement due to his family ties.
Previous criminal charges against FBI agent's son
Thomas Acee's recent arrest adds to his existing criminal record. In 2021, he faced charges of attempted robbery and shooting at a Halloween party, but a jury found him not guilty.
A subsequent DWI charge in March was dismissed when the University of New Mexico police failed to provide the necessary evidence. These incidents highlight a pattern of legal troubles for the suspect.
The arrest occurred after law enforcement tracked Acee to the parking lot of Twin Peaks, a sports bar near Interstate 25. Authorities have charged him with an open count of murder, aggravated assault, battery with a deadly weapon, shooting from a motor vehicle, and tampering with evidence. The criminal complaint remains sealed, leaving many details of the incident unclear.
The investigation began when officers responded to reports of gunfire at Fifth and Gold SW around 3:30 a.m. They discovered Tubb and a teenage girl with gunshot wounds inside a bullet-riddled vehicle. While Tubb died at the scene, the female victim was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Complex investigation leads to multiple arrests
Detective work revealed crucial evidence through surveillance footage, which identified a specific model Lexus involved in the shooting. The investigation took a significant turn when police discovered the vehicle being sold on Facebook, leading them to another suspect, Michael Flores, 21. Cell phone records placed Flores in the vicinity during the shooting.
Gilbert Gallegos, spokesperson for the Albuquerque Police Department, explained how the investigation progressed. According to his statement, investigators established that Acee was with Flores during the incident. This connection ultimately led to Acee's arrest, as authorities believe he fired multiple rounds at the victims' vehicle.
The case has drawn particular attention due to Bryan Acee's prominent position in law enforcement. The elder Acee currently serves with the Albuquerque Violent Gang Task Force, where he specializes in investigating prison, street, and motorcycle gangs, as well as tracking violent repeat offenders involved in federal drug and firearm-related crimes.
As stated in a recent search warrant affidavit, Bryan Acee said:
I primarily investigate prison, street, and motorcycle gangs, as well as violent repeat offenders involved in federal drug and firearm related crimes
Ongoing investigation raises questions about motive
The sealed criminal complaint has left many questions unanswered about the circumstances leading to the shooting. Investigators have not yet determined whether the victims were specifically targeted or if the shooting was random. The deceased victim's friend, who was present during the incident, told police they had no knowledge of the shooter's identity or motivation.
Thomas Acee's arrest this week marked a significant development in the case. Currently segregated from other inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center, he faces serious consequences if convicted of the charges. His family has declined to comment on the situation, maintaining silence as the legal process unfolds.
Tragic incident claims young life amid investigation
The fatal shooting of 13-year-old Michael Tubb in Downtown Albuquerque on August 18 has resulted in murder charges against Thomas Acee, son of a prominent FBI agent. The suspect faces multiple charges, including murder, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence, with the investigation revealing a possible connection to another suspect, Michael Flores, through the vehicle used in the shooting. The case continues to develop as authorities work to understand the motive behind the tragic incident that left one teenager dead and another injured.
