news@dailylobo.com
Authorities continue to hunt down a man who police say shot the mother of a UNM student last week.
Police are tracking down Rastice Lee Burdex, 20, after he allegedly fired two gunshots at Stacy Coronel at her home on April 16. Burdex then fled from the scene and, as of press time, is still at large, according to police.
Coronel’s son and UNM student Patrick Coronel said his mother had filed charges of domestic violence and child abuse against Burdex. He said that the morning of the incident, his mother was supposed to testify against Burdex in court about those charges, but Patrick said his mother didn’t show up because she was afraid of Burdex.
Patrick said that at about 12:30 p.m. on April 16, Burdex allegedly showed up at Stacy’s house and fired two gunshots at her. Patrick said his two brothers, one sister and four cousins, all younger than him, were in the line of fire.
Patrick said his mother is in stable condition and recovering, but he declined to identify which hospital she is in.
“My mother is very lucky to be alive,” he said. “Our main priority right now is to take (Burdex) off the streets so he wouldn’t cause any more harm to my family, or to anybody else for that matter.”
Patrick said he is worried that Burdex, whom he described as “very controlling and threatening,” will resurface to hurt his family or others.
“(Burdex) is very dangerous,” he said. “He always has a gun with him, and he’s always threatening my family. He has threatened me personally. I’ve seen what he does.”
According to NMCourts.gov, this is not the first time Burdex harmed his family. In July, Burdex was arraigned on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
“One of my uncles was trying to protect my mom from (Burdex) because he was starting to hit her,” Patrick said. “So Rastice pulled out a knife and stabbed my uncle in the abdomen. There were kids there who were present.”
Patrick said his family is cooperating with police to ensure their safety. He said his siblings are not currently staying at his mother’s home. He also said that his mother obtained a restraining order against Burdex.
APD public information officer Tasia Martinez said APD is still investigating the incident.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
She said Burdex’s brother is wanted for attempted murder in a separate case. Burdex’s mother Kadasha Burdex is wanted by APD because she cut off her ankle bracelet immediately after getting out of jail and while in the community custody program, Martinez said.
Martinez said Rastice is wanted for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Martinez said police are working hard to catch the wanted members of the Burdex family, and that anybody who has information regarding them should contact APD as soon as possible.
“I can assure you that both Rastice and Kadasha Burdex remain a high priority for detectives and efforts to locate them continue around the clock every day,” she said. “Anyone with information on their whereabouts should call police immediately.”
Patrick said he is confident that police will catch Rastice soon.
“I do feel optimistic,” he said. “It’s just a matter of time before he’s going to be taken into custody. He needs to face justice for what he’s done.”
If you have information about Rastice Lee Burdex or Kadasha Burdex, call APD’s nonemergency tips hotline at (505) 242-2677.
