LOVINGTON, NM – A Lovington, NM man, Zion Blake Gibson, charged with the 2022 murder of his estranged girlfriend, Rosa Elena Trujillo, was found guilty of the crime in a Lovington court. The verdict comes after Trujillo was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds on May 23, 2022.
Following the crime, Gibson fled to Arizona, leaving the scene of the murder. Law enforcement located the couple's 3-year-old child unharmed at the crime scene. Gibson's vehicle was spotted on Interstate 40 hours later, leading to a high-speed pursuit that concluded with Gibson crashing his vehicle.
Gibson Mug Shot
(Credit: Gibson mug shot Lea County Sheriffs Department)
Subsequently, Gibson engaged in a standoff with the Arizona DPS SWAT team, ultimately surrendering peacefully. In the recent court proceedings, Gibson faced charges of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, child abuse, breaking and entering, criminal damage to property under $1,000, and negligent use of a firearm.
The verdict, delivered on Thursday, found Gibson guilty on all counts. For the first-degree murder charge alone, he faces a life sentence with eligibility for parole after 30 years. The burglary charge carries a nine-year sentence, and the use of a firearm, along with firearm enhancement, could potentially add one to five years.
The child abuse charge, without great bodily harm, has a three-year sentence, while breaking and entering adds 18 months. The criminal damage charge contributes 364 days, and the negligent use of a firearm charge includes an additional 182 days.
The press release indicates that sentencing will be scheduled for a future date. The guilty verdict brings some closure to the tragic incident, providing justice for Rosa Elena Trujillo, whose life was cut short in the 2022 homicide
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