LOVINGTON, N.M. — 28-year-old Zion Blake Gibson, found guilty of murdering his estranged girlfriend in May 2022, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for first-degree murder. Gibson has a chance at parole after he has served 30 years. He was sentenced in the Fifth Judicial Court of Lea County.
Gibson was charged with the murder of 25-year-old Rosa Elena Trujillo after she was found with multiple gunshot wounds early May 23, 2022.
Gibson had fled the scene of the crime and made his way to Arizona. Police found the couple's 3-year-old child unharmed at the scene.
Gibson's vehicle was found driving on Interstate 40 several hours after the incident. After a high speed pursuit, Gibson wrecked his vehicle.
From there, Gibson had a standoff with the Arizona DPS SWAT team before surrendering peacefully.
As of April 1, 2024, Gibson will be behind bars for the murder and two other charges.
Gibson was sentenced to 10 years in prison for aggravated burglary (with a deadly weapon) and three years for abuse of a child (does not result in death or great bodily harm). The period of prison time for the abuse of child charge is followed by two years of parole.