ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Family and friends gathered Saturday to remember a man they call a hero.
Police say 24-year-old Michael Urioste was killed at a northeast Albuquerque gas station in February 2023 after stepping in to help a stranger.
“To me, Michael was the true epitome of what a hero was,” said Vincent Ontiveros.
Vincent Ontiveros is the owner of Bask Bath Bar and Suga Suga on Albuquerque’s Westside, and on Saturday he hosted a very special event.
“I want to do this as a memorial to show, to bring awareness that you know people – that there are bad people out there and people like that if you know that guy has still been in prison for his countless others crimes, Michael would still be here,” Ontiveros said.
Michael’s family and Ontiveros put together a car show as a memorial to Urioste.
“I was a police officer for 11 years and every time I saw it, there was a young man literally putting his life on the line for someone else, completely strange — that tugs at my heartstrings,” Ontiveros said.
Police say Eric Ford shot and killed Michael at a gas station last month.
They say Michael jumped in to help the gas station attendant after Ford hit her. Then he and Ford started fighting outside before Ford shot him.
On Saturday, a grieving family just wanted to honor their hero with something he loved.
“We really appreciate you guys showing up, he’s really into the whole car scene and loves all the different cars and motorcycles and really anything that has an engine and goes fast,” said Lena Urioste, Michael’s sister.
They had a little help from the cars on the west side and the coffee organizer, who even brought his own car out.
Ontiveros says all the businesses at the car show will donate a portion of their proceeds to the family. They hope to make this an annual event to honor their Good Samaritans.
“He’s a hero and I keep saying that over and over again. I’ll say that until the day I die,” Ontiveros said.