November 14 – The owner of a well-known tattoo parlor was shot dead inside the business Thursday morning in downtown Albuquerque.

No suspects have been identified in the death of 41-year-old John “Bale” Sisneros Jr., the owner of Por Vida Tattoo, said Gilbert Gallegos, spokesman for the Albuquerque Police Department.

Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers released a photo later in the day of a person of interest in the shooting while walking through Iron SW.

Friends, family and loyal customers of the store gathered on the street as news spread of Sisneros’ death. Within hours, many shared photos of the alleged shooter on Facebook in an attempt to identify the person.

Gallegos said officers responded around 8:30 a.m. to a report of a shooting at the store at 500 Fourth SW, near Coal. When they arrived, Sisneros was found dead from a gunshot wound.

Police began conducting surveillance from the store and nearby businesses in an effort to determine who is responsible, Gallegos said. Police were still awaiting a search warrant to search Por Vida Tattoo for evidence.

“He created a safe space for us,” Lenna Van Buren, a longtime customer, said of Sisneros and his company. “This can’t be real.”

Sisneros originally opened a tattoo parlor in Rio Rancho in 2006 and moved downtown, where he expanded the business to include a tattoo shop, coffee shop, shoe store and barber shop.

Sisneros also hosted New Mexico Tattoo Fiesta, an annual event celebrating the art form.

When Sisneros was interviewed about the party in July, he told the Journal that he had become an artist by accident.

“It wasn’t that I decided to make a career out of it,” he said. “I started doing it more as a hobby and it eventually became my career.”

Erica Romero, who had heard good things about Sisneros’ work, went to Por Vida Tattoo Thursday morning for a tattoo consultation.

“I thought I’d give it a shot,” she said.

When Romero arrived, there was a crowd of people outside the building and emergency sirens could be heard. Soon the entire area was filled with police vehicles and investigators.

“It’s just so crazy,” Romero said.

Tim Cummins, who knew Sisneros through the Masonic Lodge, said he couldn’t believe it.

“When we asked who was up and coming in the business, they said he was one of those guys,” Cummins said. “He was so enthusiastic about life and had such a good heart and a smart businessman. I’m so impressed with him and (I’m) overwhelmed that he’s gone.”

Cummins said he last saw Sisneros Wednesday evening at a lodge meeting. Sisneros took a photo with Cummins and several members before leaving.

“The man had so much life and wanted to do the right thing,” Cummins said.

Half an hour before the shooting, Sisneros posted a story on his Instagram: a photo of his breakfast in the store: an omelette topped with avocado slices and some fruit. Sisneros set Bone Thugs-N-Harmony’s “Foe tha Love of $” for the music.

Anyone with information about the case or person of interest shown in the photo is asked to call 505-843-STOP (7867), visit p3tips.com/531 or text “ABQCS” to 738477 .