After a mother spoke out against the Farmington Police Department regarding the shooting death of her daughter, police have named two persons of interest in the Animas Valley Mall shooting.

Cassie Estrada said her daughter, Ariana Rosas, 18, was a “good kid,” whose life was taken too soon when she was shot March 23 while sitting in a vehicle in the parking lot behind the mall.

“The man who shot her is out walking the street,” Estrada said. “It’s very frustrating. I feel like I’m running into a brick wall every time I try to do something.”

Rosas was at the mall with her boyfriend, Vincent Amato, 23, of Farmington. A local defense attorney, Tyson Quail, said in open court that Amato was a known drug dealer and that he was responsible for “a drug deal gone wrong” that ended up getting Rosas killed.

According to New Mexico court records, Amato was never convicted of a drug-related crime. He was convicted on two separate speeding charges in 2021, as well as a texting while driving charge August 2021.

“This upset me,” Estrada said of Quail’s comments, asking if this is why the police “are doing nothing” in the homicide case. “Is it because you think it’s a drug deal? It gets swept under the rug?”

Estrada maintained her daughter wasn’t “into that life.” Instead, the Vista Nueva High School graduate was in her second semester as a student at San Juan College. She was studying to be a welder, while living in the dorms and being involved in student life. She also was dating Amato.

“Vincent, he loved her,” Estrada said.

Farmington police said they also knew Amato was Rosas’ boyfriend and he was a “victim” in the shooting.

“It is crucial to acknowledge that Mr. Amato has been subject to multiple interviews. Recognizing him as a victim of this crime, we are committed to maintaining an ongoing working relationship with him,” said Shanice Gonzales, Farmington police spokesperson.

Amato and Rosas were in the car together when the shooting happened.

“Vincent told me they were trying to rob him,” Estrada said.

Amato was pistol-whipped and shot in the arm, according to Estrada, who said Amato speaks to her regularly.

The alleged robbers are Christian Morales and Samuel Brooks, said Estrada, who identified Morales as the alleged shooter. “He knew my daughter. I don’t understand how he could this. … Our family has been torn to pieces because this guy’s actions.”

Gonzales confirmed Estrada’s allegations. “Throughout the course of this investigation, we have conducted interviews with numerous individuals associated with this case. Christian Morales and Samuel Brooks have emerged as persons of interest. However, this investigation remains highly active.”

Estrada said she has not received an update since the detective on the case, Detective Dave Rock, was moved off the case and retired June 30. She said he didn’t even let her know he was retiring.

“FPD detectives have thoroughly briefed the family on the circumstances surrounding this tragic homicide,” Gonzales said. “Detective Rock possessed an understanding that the grandfather, Matthew Douglas, served as the intermediary between the Farmington Police Department and the family. Our team has maintained communication with the grandfather.”

Gonzales added that Sara Holiday, victim advocate, is responsible for communicating with the family. “We have worked with the mother, Cassie Estrada, to obtain financial assistance for housing and funeral assistance.”

When Rock retired, the case was turned over to Detective Jarad Pelletier, who originally served as a secondary investigator with Detective Chris Blea, recently being named the secondary investigator, Gonzales said.

“As with all cases, our detectives are diligently working in close collaboration with the San Juan County District Attorney’s Office to identify and apprehend the individual(s) responsible for this heinous crime,” she said.

A difficulty in the investigation has been the fact that no security cameras were put on the backside of the mall. “How is there no camera?” Estrada asked.

Gonzales added that Farmington police is “actively working with the Animas Valley Mall management to assist them in putting up cameras to assist in any future investigations.”

However, Estrada said she remains heartbroken.

“She was my rock, my baby, my everything,” she said. “She was going to do something. She had such a big heart.”