ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A local family says they feel blindsided after a plea deal was offered and accepted in their son’s murder case. David Segura was shot and killed last year on Central after he reportedly gave the suspects a “dirty look.”
“The only thing that we can do for him at this point is to try to get him the best justice we can here. And this…this is no justice,” his mother, Julie Segura, said.
The two teens charged in the case, Matthew Akugue and Isaiah Martinez, faced a judge Monday. Akugue took a plea deal. Prosecutors say he’s the one who killed David Segura Jr., shooting at him 17 times.
The shooting happened early on May 4, 2025, around 2 a.m. Segura’s family said Segura Jr. was getting food on Central. He was in town from Santa Fe for a wedding.
The teens say Segura shot them a dirty look. Segura’s father, David Segura Sr., said after that alleged look, the teens circled back in their car and fired shots.
“These young boys followed them, circled around, came back, and shot at my son and my nephew 17 times. And I feel like it was—it was like they hunted him down. They hunted him down like an animal and gunned him down, all because he gave them a dirty look is what they say,” Segura Sr. said.
The boys were 18 at the time of the shooting. Martinez was allegedly driving the car. Monday, he didn’t accept his plea deal. His case is set to go to trial in November. He’s charged with second-degree murder, among other charges.
A third teen was reportedly in the car, but they were never charged.
Akugue’s plea deal details
Akugue is facing a first-degree murder charge, which carries a sentence of life in prison. If he had been convicted, he would have been eligible for parole in 30 years.
Segura’s family said under the plea deal, the maximum amount with suspended time for good behavior is 19 years in prison.
“It’s disgusting. I mean, literally, this guy could be out before the age of my son. I mean, it’s…it’s so disappointing,” Julie Segura said.
“Their families still get to see them, hear their voices. They don’t have to hold on to the memory of their children, because albeit they made choices that put them where they are, they can still see them. Those 19 years minimum is like a slap in the face when you’ve taken somebody’s life,” Segura Jr.’s cousin, Georgia Montoya, said.
They also added they weren’t expecting the deal at all. The trial was set for November.
“I don’t get why we’re offering the plea deal when there’s so much evidence against all. They’ve admitted it,” Segura Sr. said.
Akugue’s sentencing hearing for his plea deal has not been set yet. Although a change of plea hearing has been set for October 21, 2026. The family hopes the judge imposes the maximum penalty.
“We’re keeping our son’s room exactly as he left it, keeping the door shut so we can hold on to a smell of him, not moving anything. This is what we’re left grasping with, and [we’re] only asking for fair justice here. That’s what we want: a fair amount of time, a fair justice,” Julie Segura said.
KOB 4 reached out to the District Attorney’s office for a response. A spokesperson said, “While we cannot comment on this specific case, as no offer has been accepted by the Court, these decisions are made carefully, with an understanding of the devastating impact these crimes have on victims and their families, the facts and circumstances of the case, and our responsibility to pursue outcomes that are fair and supported by the facts.”
Remembering who David was
But beyond the case, Segura’s family wants the community to know he was a good man and a father whose son was just 7 years old when his dad was killed.
“He was so fun and intelligent and funny and loyal. He loved hunting and outdoors, and our family would always go hunting, and he loved sports. He played sports all his childhood and teen years. He loved the Broncos. He was just a one-of-a-kind person,” Montoya said.
“It’s hard to encapsulate his full personality and the impact that this loss has had on us as a family, and just not just as a family, but everybody that’s known him,” Montoya said.
“They never get to hear his laughter anymore. They don’t get to take him out for his birthday. They can’t have any more grandchildren from him. I mean, they took their life. You know, that was their only. It’s just not fair,” Segura Jr.’s aunt, Sharon Garcia, said.
“He was a beautiful person, and by taking his life, you know, [they] took a lot from them and their families. Still trying to recover. I don’t know if they’ll ever recover,” Segura Jr.’s best friend, Benina Quintana, said.
“It’s just you know their whole life has been destroyed by this person, and he was just an amazing person. And I just want people to know behind all of this that David was just a beautiful soul, and we miss him.”
“We love you Davie!” they all said.
