Jury Convicts Las Cruces Man of First-Degree Murder in Young Park Triple Homicide

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – A Doña Ana County jury has returned a verdict of guilty on three counts of First-Degree Murder against Tomas Rivas, 21, in connection with the March 21, 2025, shooting at Young Park that claimed the lives of three young men and wounded fourteen others.

Following a trial presided over by District Court Judge Douglas R. Driggers, jurors found Rivas guilty under the theory of Depraved Mind Murder. This charge requires a finding that the defendant committed an act greatly dangerous to the lives of others, indicating a total indifference to the value of human life.

The shooting resulted in the deaths of Dominick Estrada, 19, Andrew "AJ" Madrid, 16, and Jason Gomez, 17.

The case was prosecuted by Third Judicial District Attorney Fernando R. Macias and Deputy District Attorney Spencer Willson.

District Attorney Fernando Macias states “Today, we affirmed that in Doña Ana County, we do not accept violence as inevitable. We choose to define ourselves not by the tragedy we have endured, but by the safety and peace we are determined to build. We owe it to these young men, and to every child in this community, to ensure that our parks remain places of joy, not sorrow. The prosecution would not have been successful without the tremendous support given by the Las Cruces Police Department Detectives, Patrol Officers and cooperating Law Enforcement Agencies, especially the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Deputy District Attorney Spencer Wilson stated "Today, the justice system worked exactly as it was designed to. This verdict sends an unequivocal message that lawlessness and violence will not be tolerated in Doña Ana County. When an individual brings a firearm into a crowded public space and unleashes chaos, they forfeit their right to walk free in our society. This was not self-defense; it was a criminal act with catastrophic consequences. We are grateful that the jury weighed the evidence, applied the law, and delivered justice for the Estrada, Madrid, and Gomez families."

This case highlights the persistent challenge of gun violence in New Mexico. According to data from Everytown for Gun Safety, while New Mexico ranks 16th in the country for the strength of its gun laws—up from 17th last year—the state continues to struggle with high rates of gun violence. New Mexico currently sees a rate of 27 gun deaths per 100,000 residents, which is more than double the national average of 13.0.

Charges remain pending against three other individuals in relation to the events at Young Park: Nathan Rivas, 18; Gustavo Dominguez, 18; and Josiah Ontiveros, 16.

Please note: An indictment is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Sentencing for Tomas Rivas will be scheduled by the Court later. He faces a mandatory life sentence for each count of First-Degree Murder.

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