A tragic shooting unfolded at a park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, leaving three individuals dead and 15 others injured. The incident, which occurred around 10 p.m. local time, resulted in the deaths of two 19-year-olds and a 16-year-old. Local police confirmed the devastating news through a Facebook post, highlighting the extent of the violence that shocked the community. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, which has left the region grappling with grief and uncertainty.
The victims’ identities remain unknown. The people injured range in age from 16 to 36 years old, according to police. No one has been arrested yet in connection with the shooting, but police are “actively following multiple leads,” read the post. An altercation between two groups at an “unsanctioned car show” in Young Park escalated to gunfire, Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story said at a Saturday news conference.
He added that police have collected handgun-caliber casings from the scene. Story updated the number of people injured to 15, from an original count of 14 in the Facebook post. Seven of the people injured have been sent from local hospitals to El Paso for further treatment, Las Cruces Fire Chief Michael Daniels said at the news conference. Four patients have been treated and released. The status of the other four patients is unknown, he said.
“This is a sad day for our community,” Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez said at the news conference.“I want to ask the community to gather together, to stand strong and united as we try to heal and face this tragic event that took place in our city,” he said. In a Saturday Instagram post, Las Cruces City Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo described the shooting as “a heinous act of violence that will leave our city mourning.” “My heart is broken for the victims and families impacted,” she wrote.