3-23-2025 3:12am

Victims Identified and Two Suspects Arrested in Young Park Shooting Las Cruces

Chris Edwards Editor

The Las Cruces Police Department hosted a press conference concerning the shooting that occurred at Young Park Friday evening.

Three people were killed and 15 others injured in a mass shooting between two rival groups at an unsanctioned car show at Young Park.

Two, Las Cruces police chief Jeremy Story held a Saturday press conference at 11am but significant developments occured with the investigation into the early evening with an update that the "Las Cruces police have arrested one adult and one juvenile for their involvement in Friday’s mass shooting at Young Park.

On Saturday evening, police arrested Tomas Rivas, 20, and a 17-year-old boy. Both are charged with three open counts of murder. Additional charges are pending.

Rivas will be booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he will initially be held without bond. The juvenile will be remanded to the juvenile detention facility.

The investigation is ongoing.

The victims who perished in Friday’s shooting have been identified as Andrew Madrid, 16; Jason Gomez, 18; and Dominick Estrada, 19. Madrid and Gomez died on scene. Estrada was transported to Mountain View Regional Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

The other 15 victims, whose ages range from 16-36, were injured in the shooting. Of the 15 victims, nine are male and six are female. To help protect their privacy, police will not release their names publicly.

Law enforcement partners are continuing their investigation and are actively following multiple leads. LCPD is receiving assistance from the FBI, ATF, New Mexico State Police, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The shooting occurred shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2025, at Young Park, 850 S. Walnut St. Las Cruces police and fire personnel were dispatched to reports of gunfire and possible gunshot victims in the parking lot of Young Park. Some of the injured were transported to local hospitals with seven subsequently taken to hospitals in El Paso, Texas. Current medical conditions of the surviving victims in El Paso hospitals are not available at this time.

Young Park remains closed Saturday evening as police continue gathering evidence from the scene. Nearby roads also remain closed to through traffic.

The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico has established a fundraising initiative to help victims and their families. Information on the Las Cruces Crisis Action Fund can be found online: https://bit.ly/4bXVpIq

About 50-60 bullet shell casings from handguns were found at the scene, police said, adding that the crime scene was huge and about 200 people had been at the park.

Police have asked any witnesses to come forward with information or video.

Those injured in the shooting ranged from ages 16 to 36. Authorities have not yet named any of the victims.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement regarding the mass shooting that occurred Friday night at Young Park in Las Cruces:

I am heartbroken and horrified by the mass shooting Friday night at Young Park in Las Cruces. Three people are dead and at least 15 others were wounded in this senseless act of violence. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and the entire Las Cruces community during this unimaginably difficult time.

The indiscriminate nature of this shooting is both shocking and unacceptable, but sadly not surprising. This violence tears at the fabric of our communities and leaves wounds that may never heal.

I am mobilizing state resources to support local law enforcement in their investigation. If you have any information, particularly video or images that could help identify those responsible, please come forward and contact the Las Cruces Police Department immediately.

The disturbing rise in violent crime in Las Cruces—which has increased by 46 percent compared to last year—demands immediate and sustained attention. This is not merely a statistic; these are our neighbors, our children, our future.

The devastating loss of Officer Jonah Hernandez in Las Cruces last year, and now this mass shooting, underscore the legislature’s years-long failure to address the crime crisis shattering lives and communities in our state. New Mexicans are heartbroken, and they should also be outraged that their legislature will adjourn today without having a passed a single bill to address juvenile crime or ban assault weapons. Their inaction is appalling and unacceptable.

The public should demand that the New Mexico Legislature—and all public officials in our state—acknowledge New Mexico’s crime crisis and prompt them to act immediately to protect our communities. The legislature should expect a special session to address our ongoing public safety crisis.

I remain committed to working across all levels of government and with community partners to implement comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of gun violence while providing our law enforcement with the resources they need to protect New Mexicans.

Johana Bencomo, Las Cruces city councilor and mayor pro tem said:

"The next few days will be heavy and chaotic but we must focus on supporting those directly impacted and their families. We must also focus on supporting our first responders in staying safe while conducting their investigation and supporting those who were injured and traumitized. I know that when fear and uncertainty set in, it is so easy for us to fall for and unintentionally spread misinformation or rumors.

“No judgment, it happens to the best of us in the worst moments. I ask that you please be thoughtful in what you share or repeat.”

Deb Haaland, former U.S. Interior secretary and Democratic candidate for governor issued the following statement:

“My heart goes out to the Las Cruces community and everyone who lost someone or has a loved one in the hospital because of this senseless mass shooting. Addressing gun violence is about safety and preventing crime. We must do everything we can to keep our communities safe.

“I’m grateful to the first responders, health care professionals, and law enforcement who arrived on the scene, saved lives, and continue to investigate so the perpetrators are held responsible.”