Authorities have apprehended two individuals in connection with a mass shooting that occurred in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Friday night, resulting in the deaths of three teenagers and injuries to 15 others. Tomas Rivas, aged 20, and a 17-year-old boy were taken into custody on Saturday. They face three charges of murder with additional legal actions pending, as per a social media announcement by the Las Cruces Police Department.
Rivas is set to be detained without bail at the Dona Ana County Detention Center, while the 17-year-old will be placed in a juvenile detention facility. Their legal representation is currently unknown. The victims of the shooting were identified as Andrew Madrid (16), Jason Gomez (18), and Dominick Estrada (19). The injured individuals, nine males and six females aged between 16 and 36, have not been named. Police are actively investigating the incident.
The tragic event, capturing widespread attention, is reported to be the 53rd mass shooting of 2025 according to statistics from the Gun Violence Archive. The violence erupted at Young Park just after 10 p.m. on Friday, stemming from a confrontation between two groups at an “unsanctioned car show,” as disclosed by Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story in a news briefing.
Young Park has been closed off for the ongoing investigation. Mayor Eric Enriquez of Las Cruces issued a statement urging unity and support for the community in the wake of the tragedy. A fundraising initiative has been initiated by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico to aid the victims and their families.
Las Cruces, situated near the US-Mexico border, is a city nestled on the brink of the Chihuahuan Desert. CNN correspondent Zoe Sottile contributed to this coverage.
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