Prosecutors in New Mexico have asserted that the evidence gathered in relation to a shooting incident over the weekend, which left three individuals dead and 15 others injured, is compelling.
This includes testimonies from several witnesses who have reportedly named two of the shooters, alongside observations by police officers who allegedly saw these defendants discard firearms at a nearby apartment complex after the incident, according to recent court documents.
Four individuals have been arrested under suspicion of murder, including Tomas Rivas, 20, and three teenagers. While the identities of the minors remain undisclosed, Rivas faces three charges of open murder. Appearing briefly in court via video link from jail on Monday, Rivas is at the center of a motion filed by prosecutors aiming to keep him detained until his trial. A judge indicated that a decision regarding his custody status would be reached in the near future. Meanwhile, Las Cruces police have scheduled a press briefing to take place on Tuesday.
The shooting unfolded on Friday night at Young Park following a confrontation between two groups after an unauthorized car show that gathered approximately 200 people. Prosecutors described the event in their motion as “one of the most horrific incidents to occur in Las Cruces.” A witness reportedly informed the police that Rivas shot one of the victims multiple times, hitting both their body and head.
Both Rivas and a 17-year-old suspect were apprehended on Saturday, with two more teenage boys, ages 15 and 17, taken into custody on Sunday. Details regarding the circumstances of their arrest were not immediately disclosed. Rivas’ public defender was sought for comment on Monday, but no response was received. The state public defender’s office confirmed it is also representing the three teenagers.
Following the shooting, police trailed Rivas and an accomplice to an apartment where the latter was observed discarding a bag in a dumpster, as detailed in Rivas’ arrest report. Officers arrested them promptly and discovered four firearms discarded at the complex, which matched the handgun casings found at the scene of the crime.
Authorities reported finding between 50 and 60 handgun casings spread across a broad area of the park. The victims included 16-year-old Andrew Madrid and 18-year-old Jason Gomez, who died on-site, while 19-year-old Dominick Estrada succumbed to injuries at a hospital. The injured individuals ranged from 16 to 36 years old, receiving treatment on-site or being taken to medical facilities.
In a statement released on Monday, the Las Cruces school district expressed sorrow over one of the victims being a local high school student. Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz shared, “We are deeply saddened at this news and offer our condolences to all the families impacted by this senseless tragedy. The events that unfolded over the weekend are difficult to understand, especially for our young people.”
Notably, at the time of the shooting, Rivas was legally barred from possessing a firearm due to an active case in El Paso County, Texas. He faces charges there of evading arrest and human smuggling. Las Cruces, positioned at the southern edge of New Mexico, rests about 40 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, adjacent to the Chihuahuan Desert along the Rio Grande.