Police: 2 suspects arrested in mass shooting in Las Cruces
Mar 23, 2025
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- Two people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the mass shooting at Young Park in Las Cruces, Las Cruces Police announced early Sunday morning, March 23.
On Saturday evening, police arrested Tomas Rivas, 20, and a 17-year-old boy, who is considered a juven
ile under New Mexico law, Las Cruces Police said.
Both are charged with three open counts of murder, according to the announcement.
Additional charges are pending.
3 killed, 15 injured in shooting at park in Las Cruces
Rivas will be booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he will initially be held without bond. The juvenile will be remanded to the juvenile detention facility.
The investigation is ongoing.
The victims who died in Friday’s shooting have been identified as Andrew Madrid, 16; Jason Gomez, 18; and Dominick Estrada, 19. Madrid and Gomez died at the scene.
Estrada was transported to MountainView Regional Medical Center where he died from his injuries, police said.
The other 15 victims, whose ages range from 16 to 36, were injured in the shooting. Of the 15 victims, nine are male and six are female. Police will not release their names for privacy reasons, they said.
Law enforcement partners are continuing their investigation and are actively following multiple leads. LCPD is receiving assistance from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 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. Friday, March 21 at Young Park, 850 S. Walnut St.
Las Cruces police and fire personnel were dispatched to reports of gunfire and possible gunshot victims in the parking lot of Young Park. Some of the injured were transported to local hospitals in Las Cruces, with seven subsequently taken to hospitals in El Paso.
The shooting happened during an unauthorized car show at the park after two groups of people had a fight and then the altercation escalated, police said.
Police said the current medical conditions of the surviving victims were not immediately known.
Young Park remained closed as of Saturday night as police continued gathering evidence from the scene. Nearby roads also remain closed to through traffic. Police did not say when they would reopen.
The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico has established a fundraising initiative to help victims and their families. Information on the Las Cruces Crisis Action Fund can be found by clicking here. ...read more read less