ALBUQUERQUE, NM – An 18-year-old man facing murder charges in the death of an Uber driver has allegedly confessed to authorities that he killed three additional people when he was younger, according to prosecutors who revealed the claims during a recent court hearing.
Sheliky Sanchez stands accused of fatally shooting 30-year-old Joseph Andrus on August 7 after summoning the driver through the ride-sharing app. During police interrogations, Sanchez allegedly told investigators he needed to “release tension” and deliberately called for a ride with the intention of committing murder, the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office stated.
Authorities say Sanchez specifically chose Andrus as his victim because the driver “appeared to be a decent person.” After engaging in what witnesses described as a pleasant conversation during the ride, prosecutors allege Sanchez forced Andrus from his vehicle and shot him multiple times.
The case took a more disturbing turn when Sanchez allegedly admitted during questioning to killing three other individuals while he was a minor. These alleged confessions were disclosed during a pretrial detention hearing last week, where a judge ruled Sanchez must remain in custody pending trial. Investigators are currently examining these claims, though no charges have been filed in connection with the alleged juvenile crimes.
Beyond the murder charge, Sanchez faces additional serious allegations involving his 7-year-old brother. Prosecutors say he pressed a gun barrel against the child’s forehead in May and later threatened the boy to keep quiet about the incident. These allegations have resulted in charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse, and witness intimidation.
Andrus, who recently celebrated his 30th birthday, had just achieved a longtime personal goal by graduating from college this year. Friends and family remember him as a dedicated family man who worked hard to support his loved ones. His friend Oli Rogers honored Andrus’s memory by sharing stories of his kindness with others, while childhood friend Kathryn Thompson celebrated his birthday by watching his favorite film and singing his preferred songs.
Sanchez faces charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and evidence tampering in Andrus’s death. His defense attorney has suggested the alleged confessions represent “grandstanding” behavior and argued her client may be falsely accepting responsibility for crimes committed by others.
The investigation into the additional alleged murders continues as authorities work to verify Sanchez’s claims about his involvement in other killings during his youth.
