What was meant to be a night of fun and excitement quickly turned into chaos and heartbreak. A mass shooting at a car show in Young Park on Friday night left three teenagers dead and fifteen others injured, sending shockwaves through the Las Cruces community.
A Night of Celebration Turns Tragic
It started as an unsanctioned gathering, a place where car enthusiasts came together to show off their rides and enjoy the energy of a spring night. Around 200 people, many of them young, had gathered at Young Park when gunfire suddenly erupted around 10 p.m.
Eyewitnesses described the horrifying moment shots rang out. “We were just standing there, talking, and then—boom, boom, boom. Everyone started running. People were screaming, crying, trying to find their friends,” said Carlos Martinez, a 19-year-old who attended the event.
Police say the shooting started after an argument between two groups escalated. Multiple handguns were fired, sending bullets flying through the crowd. The victims, young people with their whole lives ahead of them, had no time to react.
Among those killed were a 16-year-old boy and two 19-year-old men. The injured, ranging in age from 16 to 36, were rushed to local hospitals, some in critical condition.
A City in Shock
Las Cruces is no stranger to crime, but this level of violence has left the community reeling. Parents are afraid to let their kids go out. Friends are mourning. “This isn’t supposed to happen here,” said Maria Sanchez, whose nephew was injured in the shooting. “They were just kids having fun. Now, three families have lost their children forever.”
Police Scramble for Answers
Local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI and ATF, are now working around the clock to find those responsible. Investigators have recovered multiple shell casings and are reviewing security footage and social media videos in hopes of identifying the shooters.
So far, no arrests have been made, but police are urging witnesses to come forward. “Somebody out there knows something,” said Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story. “We need the community’s help to bring justice to these families.”
Officials Demand Action on Gun Violence
Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez expressed deep sorrow, calling the shooting a “heinous act of violence.” Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham echoed his sentiment, saying, “We can’t allow this level of crime to become normal.” She also pointed out that violent crime in Las Cruces has increased by 46% over the past year, a statistic that is deeply troubling.
The shooting happened just as New Mexico’s legislative session was wrapping up, sparking renewed debate on public safety. Some lawmakers are now calling for tougher penalties for violent crimes, while others say the focus should be on mental health and intervention programs to stop violence before it starts.
A Community in Mourning
As the investigation continues, the focus now shifts to healing. Vigils and memorials are being planned for the victims, and grief counselors are available for those affected.
“We’re heartbroken, but we’re not going to let this define us,” said Pastor David Lopez, who is helping to organize a community gathering. “We have to come together—not just to mourn but to demand change.”
For now, families are left with grief, unanswered questions, and an urgent plea for justice. The streets of Las Cruces may seem quieter today, but the echoes of Friday night’s gunfire will be felt for a long time to come.
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