3 dead, 15 wounded in 'mass shooting' at New Mexico park

Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News on Mar 22, 2025

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At least three people, including a teenager, were killed in a “mass shooting” by a park in New Mexico, which also left more than a dozen others wounded, police said Saturday.

The gunfire erupted around 10 p.m. Friday near the parking lot at Young Park in Las Cruces. When officers arrived on the scene, they found multiple victims suffering gunshot wounds.

None of the victims names have been released, but their ages range from 16 to 36 years old.

Las Cruces police said two men, both 19, and a 16-year-old boy were fatally struck in the shooting. The rest of the victims were transported to three different area hospitals as well as the University Medical Center of El Paso in Texas.

The extent of their injuries and current conditions were not provided.

“Part of me wanted to write that this is something you never really think is going to happen in your city, but that actually feels deeply untrue,” Las Cruces City Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo wrote in an Instagram post. “Honestly now days a tragedy like this feels like a nightmare just waiting to come true at any possible moment, yet also always praying and hoping it never will.”

The shooting reportedly occurred during a monthly event at the park during which car enthusiasts can show off their modified vehicles. Some 200 people were in attendance, according to the New York Times.

Police said a confrontation between two groups of people broke out and escalated into gunfire between both groups, though what the altercation was about was unclear on Saturday.

At least one man was reported to be seen with what appeared to be an assault-style rifle, though authorities confirmed that he’d already been interviewed and was not believed to be involved in the shooting.

Police said shell casings located throughout the crime scene all came from handgun-caliber bullets.

As of Saturday afternoon, no arrests had been made and police were still working to identify the suspects. It’s unknown how many people were involved.

“Las Cruces police are receiving assistance from New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,” authorities said.

Law enforcement also requested that anyone who has video or photos of the events, particularly those that show the shooting or people with firearms, turn them over.