Las Cruces Police to provide update on Young Park shooting in Las Cruces
Mar 25, 2025
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The four suspects who were arrested in connection to the Young Park shooting in Las Cruces had previous criminal history and at least one of the suspects tried to sell handguns through social media prior to the shooting, Chief Jeremy Story said in a press conference on Tues
day, March 25.
Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story gave new details on the Young Park shooting on Tuesday afternoon.
Miguel Paredes/ KTSM 9 News
Story said that Tomas Rivas, 20, the adult suspect who was arrested and charged in connection to the shooting has been previously involved in shoplifting and possession of a controlled substance.
Rivas has also been the suspect in batteries, domestic assaults, and aggravated assaults. He was also previously charged with smuggling by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Story said.
The juveniles that are being charged in connection to the shooting have been suspects or previously charged in aggravated burglaries, vandalism, sexual assault, possession of controlled substances, public affray, robbery, and several other aggravated assaults.
Story says the evidence from this shooting confirms that at least one of the juveniles was attempting to sell guns through social media prior to the incident.
All four firearms that were used in the shooting were recovered and at least three of the weapons are reported stolen, Story said.
According to court documents obtained by KTSM, Nathan Rivas, who has been identified through court documents and Tomas Rivas arrived at an apartment at the 1800 block of Rentfrow Avenue an hour after the shooting that Friday where they allegedly both tried to get rid of evidence including firearms.
Nathan Rivas has not been publicly named as one of the three juvenile suspects arrested by police and police has not released the juvenile's names.
Story says all four suspects were located and charged within 38 hours of the shooting.
Just after 10 p.m. last Friday, March 21, the Las Cruces Police Department began receiving calls for gunshot victims at Young Park.
Story said there was a car meetup at the park and the suspects were together prior to the shooting.
While a large crowd was watching the exhibition driving, a dispute developed towards the southwest portion of the parking lot, Story said.
Story said the dispute was between two groups of people who've had "personal issues" in the past. The argument then escalated and multiple people began firing handguns.
Story confirmed that all four suspects were a part of the same group.
Some of the intended targets were struck, along with several uninvolved bystanders, Story said.
Story says this type of behavior can be seen as gang-related activity. However, Story says he cannot specifically name a gang.
During the press conference, body camera footage was also shown regarding the scene that night.
Body camera footage showed several officers providing first aid to the victims.
Story says that other people could potentially be charged and they are still investigating the incident. ...read more read less