Final Update: Holloman AFB Shooting Ruled Isolated Domestic Incident – One Dead, One Injured; Col. Ethridge Reassures Alamogordo School Board

Alamogordo, NM – March 18, 2026 – Holloman Air Force Base has officially confirmed that the shooting that occurred Tuesday afternoon, March 17, near the base Shoppette was an isolated, domestic-related incident with no ongoing threat to the community.

According to the official news release issued today by the 49th Wing Public Affairs Office, one active-duty service member assigned to Holloman AFB was injured and remains in stable condition. The second person, a civilian and military veteran previously stationed at Holloman, was declared deceased at the scene. For privacy reasons, the names of both individuals are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.

The release states the individuals were not married and emphasizes that the incident was domestic in nature and isolated. “This was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to our community,” the release reads. Base officials are asking the public to avoid speculating on social media out of respect for the families involved. The investigation remains active.

At Wednesday night’s Alamogordo Public Schools Board meeting, 49th Wing Commander Col. John Ethridge addressed the community directly, confirming that Holloman Elementary and Middle schools — both located on base — were under no threat.

“While he said that the information that is releasable is limited, Ethridge maintained that the shooting was an isolated incident,” as seen in the public school board meeting link. Col. Ethridge thanked security forces and first responders for their swift action during the lockdown and noted that the injured airman “is recovering with his family,” some of whom are students in the Alamogordo Public Schools district.

“So while the loss of life is truly tragic, we’re grateful that it was not a worse situation and we want to assure you that we are moving forward and the investigation is ongoing, and our first priority is the safety and security of our community, our families and our students,” Ethridge told the board.

The base was placed on lockdown immediately following the incident and has since returned to normal operations. No additional details about the suspect or exact circumstances have been released.

This concludes the active phase of public updates on the March 17, 2026 Holloman AFB Shoppette shooting. The investigation continues, and further information will be released by base officials as it becomes available.

2nd Life Media AlamogordoTownNews.org & KALHRadio.org will continue to monitor official channels for any developments.

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