Suspect Sought in Prom Night Stabbing

While at the after-party, 18 year old Diego Mark became involved in an altercation with several other individuals at the party and he eventually brandished a knife. Interviews with party attendees consistently described Mark the primary aggressor; describing him as acting out, threatening everyone with the knife and screaming. As several of the males attempted to calm Mark and take the knife away from him, Mark stabbed one of the males in the abdomen. After being stabbed, the victim fell backward to the ground, striking the back of his head.

From the San Juan Co. Sheriff's Office:

On April 10, 2016 at approximately 0600 hours, Deputies were dispatched to the San Juan Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) in reference to a stabbing that had occurred around the area of CR6480 in Kirtland New Mexico. While en-route to SJRMC deputies advised dispatch that there was a crash that occurred on CR6480/CR6487 and there was reason to believe that the two incidents were connected.

During the investigation Detectives learned that a group of Kirtland High School students attended an after-prom party at a residence on County Road 6483 in Kirtland. Among the group of Kirtland High students was 18 year-old, Diego Mark of Shiprock, who attended Kirtland’s prom as a guest. Mark also attended the after party.

While at the after-party, Mark became involved in an altercation with several other individuals at the party and he eventually brandished a knife. Interviews with party attendees consistently described Mark the primary aggressor; describing him as acting out, threatening everyone with the knife and screaming. As several of the males attempted to calm Mark and take the knife away from him, Mark stabbed one of the males in the abdomen. After being stabbed, the victim fell backward to the ground, striking the back of his head.

One of the females at the party became scared and left the house in her passenger car. The male threatening people with the knife, drove away from the residence immediately after she did. The male was tailgating her and driving erratically. She said she took a left turn, then as she was taking another left turn, she didn’t slow down because she was trying to get away from Mark. Her car started to drift a little as she was turning when he rammed her car from behind with his truck. She believed that her car rolled over and as she got out of her car, she heard the male yell, “That’s what you get {expletive}!” While still at the crash site, the male who had been stabbed, stopped to check on her and she relayed that she was okay. She told him he needed to go to the hospital because he was bleeding badly. She also tried to call her parents and eventually called 911. She described the male’s truck as a white oilfield type truck and relayed that it would have front end damage.

The male stabbing victim was treated for an apparent stab wound to his left abdominal area, a wound to the back of his head and a small cut under his right eye. The female was treated for superficial wounds and whiplash as a result of the car crash. Both have been released from the hospital.

An arrest warrant with a cash only bond of $20,000 has been issued for Diego Mark on 2 counts of Aggravated Battery - with use of a deadly weapon (a 3rd degree felony). Mark is believed to be driving a 2006, white Ford Truck, displaying New Mexico License Plate MGY168. If you have any information on the whereabouts of Diego Mark, please contact San Juan County dispatch at 505-334-6622 or to remain anonymous, call San Juan County Crimestoppers at 505-334-8477.