In the desert city of Las Cruces, New Mexico, a tragic incident unfolded at Young Park on Friday night, where an altercation during an unauthorized car show resulted in three fatalities and 15 injuries. Late in the evening, police and fire department crews arrived on a turbulent scene filled with over 200 attendees. Victims affected by the gunfire ranged in age from 16 to 36 and were either given immediate treatment at the location or transported to nearby hospitals for medical care.
The investigation revealed that between 50 to 60 handguns were discharged, indicating the involvement of multiple shooters. Police Chief Jeremy Story highlighted that the altercation likely stemmed from existing hostilities between two groups. Tragically, those killed were a 16-year-old boy and two young men aged 18 and 19; however, further details are withheld to protect the privacy of the victims and their families.
Efforts to investigate the event are being augmented by New Mexico State Police, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Las Cruces Fire Chief Michael Daniels reported that 11 victims were sent to three area hospitals or the University Medical Center of El Paso, the foremost trauma center in the region. Following evaluations, four individuals were released, while seven were undergoing treatment in El Paso, with unknown conditions for the remaining four.
Authorities are diligently seeking any video footage from the event and are appealing to attendees for any tips that may lead to identifying those responsible. Chief Story emphasized the shocking disregard displayed in this reckless act and committed the department to find and prosecute those accountable. He acknowledged the frequency of illegal car shows at Young Park, noting a typically more significant police presence; however, a lack of available units was a factor on the night of the incident.
City Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo expressed the collective grief and tension in the community through social media, noting the alarming trend of such events occurring nationwide. Mayor Eric Enriquez echoed these sentiments, urging the community to unify in support of the victims and their families during this challenging time.
On Saturday, police continued their investigation at the crime scene, which remained closed to traffic, as local reports indicated the challenge posed by a vast area containing multiple pieces of evidence. Chief Story described the intricate nature of this crime scene, which required comprehensive analysis before normalcy could be restored.
News of the shootings reached the state capital, Santa Fe, prompting a rare late-night moment of procedural silence by the Senate. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed deep condolences and reiterated disappointment over the situation. She pointed out missed legislative opportunities for improved public safety measures, despite recent signings on initiatives to increase penalties for certain crimes and enhance treatment funding.
Governor Lujan Grisham also lamented the insufficient progress in juvenile justice reforms and the alarming evidence of multiple firearms employed in the Las Cruces incident. Terming the incident another needless tragedy, she stressed the urgency of curbing the prevalence of guns at public venues.
Las Cruces, known for its scenic location bordering the Chihuahuan Desert along the Rio Grande, lies approximately 40 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, an area currently grappling with the ramifications of this devastating event.
