Las Cruces Police Department has confirmed the arrest of a third suspect in connection with the mass shooting that occurred at Young Park on Friday night, as revealed in a post on their official Facebook page. The social media update detailed that the individual, a 17-year-old boy, was taken into custody on Sunday morning, this follows the arrests of another 17-year-old and 20-year-old Tomas Rivas, both apprehended on Saturday. All three suspects are now facing three open counts of murder, among other pending charges, according to Las Cruces Police.
The recent update on the ongoing situation in Las Cruces indicated that Rivas had been booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond, both juveniles are currently housed in the juvenile section of the same facility, meanwhile, the community remains stunned by the tragic event which claimed the lives of three young individuals, Andrew Madrid, 16; Jason Gomez, 18; and Dominick Estrada, 19. Madrid and Gomez lost their lives at the scene, while Estrada passed away after being rushed to MountainView Regional Medical Center, with hopes dashed and dreams unfulfilled in an act of senseless brutality that has left many searching for answers and solace.
The breadth of this tragedy extends beyond the lives taken, fifteen additional victims, ranging from 16 to 36 years old, sustained injuries in the shooting, the gender breakdown included nine males and six females, however, the current medical statuses of those who survived are not being disclosed at this time. As for the investigation, which remains active, Las Cruces police are being supported by a host of law enforcement agencies: the FBI, ATF, New Mexico State Police, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, a collective mobilization in the face of a community's nightmare.
According to the Las Cruces Police, the fateful incident happened shortly after 10 p.m. on Friday with emergency services dispatched soon after to reports of gunfire and potential victims in Young Park, located at 850 S. Walnut St., in what has become not only a focal point of profound grief for those directly affected but also a sobering reminder of the fragility of peace and the prevalence of violence in American life.
