Confirmed Teen Driver Shot in Drive-By Incident; Vehicle Crashes at Alamogordo Intersection – Amid Perceived Rise in Youth Violence Across New Mexico

Alamogordo, NM – January 26, 2026 – A 17-year-old male is recovering in stable condition after being shot in what authorities describe as a drive-by incident near the Town & Country Trailer Park, according to now confirmed reports by the Alamogordo Police Department (APD). The shooting, which occurred on Thursday, January 23, 2026, has drawn attention amid broader concerns about an uptick in teen-involved violence and firearm-related incidents in New Mexico.

Officers initially responded to a reported crash with injuries at the intersection of 10th Street and Cuba Avenue. While en route, they learned a good Samaritan was transporting a gunshot victim to Christus Health . The APD Criminal Investigations Division took over the probe.

Investigators determined that the 17-year-old driver and a 20-year-old passenger were in the vicinity of the Town & Country Trailer Park when unknown suspects fired multiple rounds into their vehicle, striking the driver. Despite his injuries, the teen attempted to drive himself to the hospital but collided with a southbound vehicle at the intersection. The witness then transported him the rest of the way. The victim was an innocent and not connected to the incident per investigators.

The victim received treatment for life-threatening injuries and is now listed in stable condition. Detectives located the original shooting scene, identified a possible suspect vehicle, and gathered additional physical evidence. 

No arrests have been announced, and the investigation remains active and ongoing.

APD is urging anyone with information—including details on the suspects, the vehicle involved, or events leading up to the shooting—to contact the Criminal Investigations Division. Anonymous tips are accepted.

This incident occurs during a challenging period in southern New Mexico, marked by ongoing winter storm recovery—including power outages in the mountains—and what many residents and officials perceive as an increase in teen violence, based on routine police reports and statewide trends.

Statewide data and reports from the past six months (roughly July 2025 to January 2026) highlight concerns over juvenile firearm involvement and violent offenses:

• New Mexico officials, including the Governor’s senior public safety adviser, have reported that youth are arrested with firearms on average three out of every four days, describing the trend as “way too high” and noting an “age creep” in juvenile offender violence.

• Reports indicate 288 children arrested in 2025 for firearm-related misconduct, equating to roughly one juvenile gun arrest per day in some tracking periods.

• In Las Cruces, police have highlighted a rise in serious juvenile crimes, including homicides and shootings, with social media often amplifying or documenting the violence.

• Broader analyses from the Legislative Finance Committee and district attorneys point to increases in juvenile cases involving aggravated assaults, weapons on school property, battery, and deadly weapons—trends prompting calls for juvenile justice reforms, more detention capacity, and updates to outdated laws.

• While overall U.S. gun violence (including youth shootings) declined in 2025 per Gun Violence Archive data, New Mexico-specific indicators show persistent challenges, including high per-capita youth firearm deaths historically and recent surges in juvenile arrests with guns.

• A March 2025 mass shooting in Las Cruces at Young Park killed three teenagers and injured 15 during an unsanctioned car show, underscoring risks in youth gatherings.

National and state gun violence trackers note ongoing firearm-related juvenile detentions, though comprehensive monthly breakdowns for the exact six-month window are limited in public releases. Critics and advocates argue New Mexico’s juvenile code—largely unchanged since the 1990s—struggles to address modern severity, contributing to perceptions of rising teen violence despite some statewide crime declines in other categories.

Local leaders in areas and those in Las Cruces have called for stronger interventions, including community violence programs funded in New Mexico’s 2026 budget, while noting contributing factors like adverse childhood experiences, poverty, and substance issues.

No direct link exists between this Alamogordo shooting and broader trends, but it adds to community discussions on youth safety and broader public safety. APD emphasized vigilance and encouraged reporting suspicious activity.

Mayor Sharon McDonald and City leaders will be in Santa Fe later this week meeting with legislators to discuss public safety funding enhancements and state partnered solutions for rural communities such as Alamogordo. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Alamogordo Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at (575) 439-4300. Tips can be provided anonymously.

This is a developing story from 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News & KALHRadio.org Stay safe and informed.

Source Information and Links:

• Alamogordo Police Department news release: “Teen Sustains Gunshot Wound,” January 26, 2026 – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BjX1HHi1T/?mibextid=wwXIfr

• New Mexico juvenile firearm arrest trends and youth violence concerns – Governor’s Office public safety statements and related reports (2025–2026)

• Las Cruces juvenile crime trends – Las Cruces Police Department public statements and local news coverage

• March 2025 Young Park mass shooting in Las Cruces – Multiple New Mexico media outlets and official reports

• U.S. gun violence statistics (2025 decline) – Gun Violence Archive (https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/)

• New Mexico juvenile justice reform discussions and Legislative Finance Committee analyses – New Mexico Legislature public documents

• Governor’s Gun Violence Dashboard and related juvenile detention data – State of New Mexico public safety resources

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