In the quiet city of Las Cruces, New Mexico, a devastating tragedy unfolded on the night of March 21, 2025, leaving a community in mourning and authorities scrambling for answers. The senseless violence that erupted at Young Park claimed the lives of three young men—Andrew Madrid, just 16 years old, Jason Gomez, 18, and Dominick Estrada, 19—whose futures were abruptly stolen in a hail of gunfire. As the sun set on that fateful Friday, the park, typically a place of recreation and respite, transformed into a scene of chaos and heartbreak, with 15 others wounded, their lives forever altered by the events that transpired.
By Saturday evening, the Las Cruces Police Department had made significant strides in their investigation, arresting two suspects believed to be responsible for the carnage. Tomas Rivas-Hidalgo, a 20-year-old local, was taken into custody and booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center, where he remains without bond. His younger brother, 17-year-old Adrian Rivas-Hidalgo, was also apprehended and placed in a juvenile detention facility as the legal process begins to unfold. Both face three counts of murder, with authorities indicating that additional charges may follow as evidence continues to emerge. The swift arrests brought a glimmer of hope to a grieving community, though the pain of loss lingers heavily in the air.
The shooting occurred shortly after 10 p.m., shattering the calm of the evening as gunfire rang out in the parking lot and surrounding areas of Young Park, located at 850 S. Walnut St. Emergency responders arrived to a harrowing scene: Madrid and Gomez lay lifeless, their bodies crumpled where they fell, while Estrada clung to life, only to pass away later at MountainView Regional Medical Center despite the efforts of medical staff. The 15 injured victims, ranging in age from 16 to 36, included nine males and six females, their identities withheld to preserve their privacy during this difficult time. Seven of the wounded were transferred to hospitals in nearby El Paso, Texas, seeking advanced care, though updates on their conditions remain scarce.
As the investigation deepened, police worked tirelessly to separate fact from fiction amid a swirl of rumors and misinformation. Social media posts, including a widely circulated image of a teenager wielding what appeared to be an AR-style rifle, fueled speculation, but authorities were quick to dispel these claims. Forensic analysis of the crime scene revealed 50 to 60 shell casings—all from handguns—with no evidence suggesting the involvement of a rifle. At a press conference held Saturday morning, Police Chief Jeremy Story addressed the public with measured resolve, confirming that the individual in the viral photo had been interviewed and cleared of any connection to the shooting. Another local, Gabriel Rickman, was also questioned and exonerated, allowing investigators to narrow their focus on the true perpetrators.
The scope of the response reflects the gravity of the incident, with the Las Cruces Police Department enlisting support from an array of federal and state agencies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Mexico State Police, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have all joined the effort, pooling resources to uncover the full story behind the violence. Young Park remains shuttered, its gates locked and nearby roads cordoned off, as detectives comb through evidence, piecing together the sequence of events that led to such profound loss.
For now, the people of Las Cruces are left to grapple with the aftermath, their sense of safety shaken by an act of brutality that has reverberated far beyond the park’s boundaries. Authorities are urging anyone with information to step forward, providing a lifeline to justice through a dedicated tip line at (575) 526-0795. As the investigation presses on, the community holds its breath, seeking solace in the hope that accountability will prevail and that healing, however distant, may one day follow.