(CNN) Police have arrested a New Mexico teenager accused of shooting and killing a postal worker who tried to break up an argument between the teen and his mother.

"Our detectives worked with the US Postal Inspection Service to locate and arrest the suspect accused of murdering a local letter carrier. Thank you to everyone who assisted," the Albuquerque Police said on Twitter.

Xavier Zamora, 17, of Albuquerque, was wanted on a murder charge, accused of killing mail carrier Jose Hernandez on Monday afternoon.

Hernandez was working his route in southwest Albuquerque when he saw Zamora in a dispute with Zamora's mother outside their house, and decided to help her de-escalate the fight, Albuquerque police say.

Hernandez sprayed Mace on Zamora when the teen became aggressive toward him, police say, citing an interview with the mother.

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