Jodi Diodati Administrative Officer | DeKalb County Republican Party
Jodi Diodati Administrative Officer | DeKalb County Republican Party
A shooting at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, has resulted in the deaths of three teenagers and injuries to 15 others during an unsanctioned car show on Friday night. The event attracted approximately 200 attendees when gunfire erupted following a dispute between two groups.
Authorities have arrested four individuals connected to the incident: 20-year-old Tomas Rivas, two 17-year-old boys, and a 15-year-old boy. Each faces three open counts of murder with additional charges pending. "On Saturday evening, police arrested Tomas Rivas, 20, and a 17-year-old boy. Both are charged with three open counts of murder. Additional charges are pending."
The victims who lost their lives have been identified as Andrew Madrid, aged 16; Jason Gomez, aged 18; and Dominick Estrada, aged 19. Madrid and Gomez were pronounced dead at the scene while Estrada died from his injuries at MountainView Regional Medical Center.
Las Cruces Police reported that the injured victims range in age from 16 to 36 years old and include nine males and six females. Their names will not be released publicly to protect their privacy.
Law enforcement is continuing its investigation with assistance from multiple agencies including the FBI, ATF, New Mexico State Police, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The shooting occurred shortly after 10 p.m. on March 21 at Young Park located at 850 S. Walnut St., where police responded to reports of gunfire in the parking lot. Some injured individuals were taken to local hospitals while seven were transported to hospitals in El Paso, Texas.
On Sunday morning, Las Cruces police arrested a third suspect for involvement in Friday's mass shooting: another 17-year-old boy who joins Rivas and another juvenile previously apprehended on Saturday.
A fourth arrest was made Sunday afternoon involving a 15-year-old boy charged similarly with three open counts of murder alongside previous arrestees facing identical allegations without bond for Rivas held initially at Dona Ana County Detention Center among other juveniles confined separately within its facility sections.
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