Four suspects have been arrested in connection with a deadly mass shooting at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, that occurred on Friday night, March 21, 2025. The shooting left three teenagers dead and 15 others injured.
Police initially arrested Tomas Rivas, 20, and a 17-year-old boy on Saturday evening, charging both with three open counts of murder. By Sunday, authorities had taken two additional suspects into custody – another 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy – who face the same charges. Additional charges are pending against all four suspects.
Rivas has been booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center where he is being held without bond. The three juvenile suspects are being held in the juvenile section of the detention facility.
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, while Estrada was transported to MountainView Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The 15 other victims, whose ages range from 16 to 36, suffered various injuries in the shooting. Of these victims, nine are male and six are female, according to police statements. Their names have not been released.
The shooting took place shortly after 10 p.m. Friday at Young Park, located at 850 S. Walnut St. in Las Cruces. Police and fire personnel were dispatched to the scene following multiple reports of gunfire and possible gunshot victims in the park’s parking lot.
According to authorities, the shooting occurred during a fight between two groups at an “unsanctioned car show” that had drawn approximately 200 people to the park. Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story stated at a news conference that multiple firearms were involved in the incident, with 50-60 bullet casings found at the scene. All recovered shell casings were from handguns.
Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez addressed the community at a news conference on Saturday, expressing his sorrow over the tragic event.
The Las Cruces Police Department is receiving assistance in its investigation from multiple agencies, including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the New Mexico State Police, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
According to Las Cruces City Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo, this shooting marks the 53rd mass shooting of 2025, based on data from the Gun Violence Archive. The violence has deeply affected the Las Cruces community, particularly those who knew the victims.
One of the victims, 16-year-old Andrew Madrid, was remembered by his community as a dedicated student and passionate baseball player. A GoFundMe page has been established to support his family during this difficult time.
The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico has also established a fundraiser to help all the victims of the shooting and their families. The city of Las Cruces is providing support services, including crisis counseling and financial assistance, for those affected by the tragedy.
Las Cruces is located near the Chihuahuan Desert along the Rio Grande River in southern New Mexico, about 41 miles north of the U.S.-Mexican border. It has seen an increase in crime in recent years. Young Park has been “troubled with crime” in recent years despite efforts by the police department to reduce criminal activity, such as locking the park at 11 p.m.
The Doña Ana County District Attorney’s office is moving forward with the case. According to one witness, Nicolas Raidd, a teammate of victim A.J. Madrid, the community is focusing on healing despite the tragedy. He said he forgives the shooters, and that Madrid himself would have done the same.
