Las Cruces mass shooting leaves at least 3 dead
Officials from Las Cruces fire and police departments spoke to press after a late night mass shooting left at least three dead.
- Three dead, 15 injured in Young Park shooting.
- Two 19-year-old men and a 16-year-old boy were killed, and 15 others were injured at an unsanctioned car show in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
- Although no arrests have been made, LCPD Chief Jeremy Story stated there was “ill will” between the groups involved.
- New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement citing a 46% increase in violent crime in Las Cruces compared to last year.
An altercation between two groups of people at an unsanctioned car show resulted in three deaths and multiple gun shot victims at Young Park in Las Cruces on March 21, 2025.
According to the Las Cruces Police Department, 15 people were injured and two 19-year-old men and a 16-year-old boy were killed. The injured ranged in ages from 16 to 36 years old.
In a Saturday morning news conference, LCPD Chief Jeremy Story said over 50 shell casings were found at the scene- all from handguns. Story said an person pictured in a social media post holding an automatic rifle was interviewed by police and is not currently a suspect.
No arrests have been made, but LCPD is seeking relevant photos and videos from members of the public who were gathered at the park during the incident. They are being asked to upload those filed to a secure site.
Story said the first calls for gun shots came in at 10:10 p.m., and that gun fire escalated to injure several people caught in crossfire before LCPD and Las Cruces Fire arrived on scene. There was “ill will” between the groups prior to the event, according to Story.
There were approximately 200 people in the park at the time of shooting, according to LCPD. Police said most of the shooting occurred in the parking lot, but investigators have found casings throughout the park.
According to LCFD Chief Michael Daniels, two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, seven people were treated on scene, four were transported locally and one was flown to El Paso. Daniel said seven have since been sent to El Paso for further treatment, four have been treated and released and LCFD is awaiting updates on four remaining victims.
Story said he did not want Saturday’s news conference to be political, but did refer to a lack of accountability in the state related to certain crimes. Story also referred to his department being short of a budgeted 220 officers, as well as three approved Park Rangers who are still in training and the Real Time Crime Center, which has been funded by the City and State, but has not become operational.
“This horrendous senseless act is a stark reminder of the blatant disregard people in New Mexico have for the rule of law and order,” Story said. “It’s also a reminder of the lack of fear and accountability in New Mexico.”
In a news release on Saturday, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham cited a 46% increase in violent crime in Las Cruces compared to last year.
“The devastating loss of Officer Jonah Hernandez in Las Cruces last year, and now this mass shooting, underscore the legislature’s years-long failure to address the crime crisis shattering lives and communities in our state,” the statement read. “New Mexicans are heartbroken, and they should also be outraged that their legislature will adjourn today without having a passed a single bill to address juvenile crime or ban assault weapons.”
Unsanctioned car shows an ongoing issue at Young Park
Story described unsanctioned car shows as an issue police have dealt with for some time, one which has been addressed by the installation of gates at the park that are closed at 11 p.m.
Additionally, LCPD is the process of installing technology throughout parks in Las Cruces as part of the Real Time Crime Center.
“That area has been troubled by crime more so in recent years,” Story said. “In spite of some of the efforts, we are still struggling with it, obviously.”
Story said there were not units available for most of the evening prior to the shooting. Story described illegal acts that tend to occur during such events, and described firearms which were present throughout the event both during the shooting and displayed in the hours leading up to the event.
City partners with Crisis Action Fund for mass shooting victims
The City has partnered with Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, which is collecting donations to supports victims and their families.
Jason Groves can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X at @JPGroves.
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