A Tragic Night in Las Cruces: Mass Shooting Claims Lives of Three Young People

Community members gathering for a vigil in memory of the Las Cruces shooting victims.

News Summary

On March 21, 2025, a mass shooting at Young Park in Las Cruces, NM, left three teenagers dead and 15 others injured. The incident stemmed from a violent altercation among rival groups during an unsanctioned car show. Local authorities are pursuing justice as four suspects have been arrested, and the community mourns the loss of young lives.

A Tragic Night in Las Cruces: Mass Shooting Claims Lives of Three Young People

Late on Friday night, March 21, 2025, *the vibrant atmosphere of Young Park* in Las Cruces, New Mexico, turned into a scene of horror as a *mass shooting* erupted during an unsanctioned car show. At approximately 10:10 p.m., chaos ensued among the crowd of around 200 attendees, resulting in a heartbreaking outcome: *three young lives lost* and *fifteen more people injured*.

The Heartbreaking Details

The deceased were identified as teenagers, all with promising futures ahead of them. The victims were Andrew Madrid, just 16 years old, Jason Gomez, who was 18, and Dominick Estrada, who was 19. Madrid and Gomez tragically lost their lives at the scene, while Estrada succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at MountainView Regional Medical Center.

The injuries inflicted during the shooting varied in severity, affecting individuals aged *16 to 36 years old*. Among the injured, nine were males and six were females. Initially, the reports mentioned 14 wounded victims, but the numbers were updated to confirm that a total of 15 had been hurt. Some of the victims needed immediate treatment on-site, while others were swiftly taken to nearby hospitals, including the *University Medical Center of El Paso*.

A Chaotic Crime Scene

The police recovered *between 40 to 60 bullet casings* from the crime scene, indicating that *multiple handguns* were used during the incident. Thankfully, *no rifle casings* were found, suggesting that assault-style weapons were not a part of this nightmare. The shooting reportedly stemmed from a heated altercation between two rival groups, setting the stage for this reckless act of violence.

Pursuing Justice

In the aftermath of this devastating incident, Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story condemned the act as “*horrendous and senseless*,” showcasing a shocking “*disregard for law and order*”. As the community grapples with the loss, the police are actively seeking assistance from the public. They encourage anyone with video footage or information related to the shooting to step forward.

Young Park and its surrounding areas have been cordoned off as investigators continue to piece together the events leading to this tragedy. Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting: **Tomas Rivas**, a 20-year-old, and three teenagers aged 17 and 15. These suspects now face *three open counts of murder*, and further charges are in the works.

A Community in Mourning

The local Mayor, Eric Enriquez, has expressed deep sorrow for the victims and has emphasized the importance of community solidarity in these trying times. Following the tragedy, *vigils have sprung up* around the area, reminding us all of the grief and heartache shared by the community. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has labeled the incident as *shocking and unacceptable*, pushing for legislative action in response to a troubling rise in crime around New Mexico.

Looking to the Future

As families of the victims begin to cope with their unimaginable loss, a *fundraiser has been initiated* to help support them during this difficult time. This *tragic shooting marks the 53rd mass shooting of 2025* as recorded by the Gun Violence Archive, highlighting a troubling trend that we must all confront.

As investigations proceed and the community stands together, we are reminded of the importance of love, support, and healing. It is crucial that we work together to find solutions that promote safety and security for our neighborhoods, ensuring that such tragedies never happen again.