The quiet stillness of a late Friday night in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was shattered on March 21, 2025, when gunfire erupted in the parking lot of Young Park, claiming the lives of three young men and leaving more than a dozen others wounded. The tragic event unfolded just after 10 p.m., as Andrew Madrid, 16, Jason Gomez, 18, and Dominick Estrada, 19, lost their lives in a hail of bullets that turned a community gathering spot into a scene of chaos and heartbreak. Madrid and Gomez were pronounced dead at the scene, their bodies discovered amid the frantic efforts of first responders. Estrada, gravely injured, was rushed to MountainView Regional Medical Center, where medical staff fought to save him. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his wounds, adding a third name to the growing toll of a night that has left this tight-knit community reeling.
By Saturday evening, Las Cruces police had taken two suspects into custody, offering a glimmer of progress in a case that has gripped the city with grief and disbelief. Tomas Rivas, a 20-year-old local, was arrested and charged with three open counts of murder. He now sits without bond in the Doña Ana County Detention Center, awaiting further legal proceedings. Alongside him, a 17-year-old male, whose identity remains protected due to his age, faces the same charges and has been placed in a juvenile detention facility. Authorities have indicated that additional charges are likely as the investigation unfolds, with law enforcement officials stressing that their work is far from over. The arrests, while a critical step, do little to ease the pain of a community mourning the loss of three young lives cut short in an act of senseless violence.
The scope of the tragedy extends beyond the three fatalities. Fifteen others—nine males and six females, ranging in age from 16 to 36—suffered injuries in the barrage of gunfire. Emergency responders worked tirelessly to stabilize the wounded, transporting several to local hospitals. Seven of the most critically injured were later moved to advanced medical facilities in El Paso, Texas, where they continue to receive treatment. Details about their conditions remain scarce, as authorities have withheld their identities to respect their privacy during this difficult time. The sheer number of victims underscores the scale of the incident, painting a picture of a night that spiraled into chaos in mere moments.
Investigators from multiple agencies have descended on Young Park, determined to piece together the events that led to this devastating outburst of violence. Las Cruces police are working in tandem with the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New Mexico State Police, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Their collective efforts have already yielded significant findings. Forensic teams recovered between 50 and 60 shell casings at the scene, all of which were determined to have been fired from handguns. This detail became particularly relevant as police moved to dispel rumors swirling online. An image of a teenager holding what appeared to be an AR-style rifle had sparked speculation on social media, but ballistic evidence conclusively ruled out the use of such a weapon in the shooting. Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story addressed the public directly during a Saturday press conference, confirming that the individual in the photo had been interviewed and was not involved. Another local, Gabriel Rickman, was also cleared of any connection to the incident after a thorough investigation.
The shooting has left Young Park, a familiar fixture at 850 S. Walnut St., eerily silent. The park remains closed, cordoned off by police tape as investigators comb through evidence. Nearby roads are blocked, a tangible reminder of the ongoing effort to uncover the truth. Authorities are calling on the public for assistance, urging anyone who was at the park that night to share photos, videos, or any information that could shed light on what happened. A secure submission site has been established to handle these contributions, reflecting the police’s determination to leave no stone unturned.
As Las Cruces grapples with the aftermath, the arrests of Rivas and the unnamed juvenile mark the beginning of a long journey toward justice. For the families of Andrew Madrid, Jason Gomez, and Dominick Estrada, the pain of their loss is immeasurable, a wound that time may never fully heal. The community, too, mourns the innocence stolen from a place meant for recreation and connection. With the investigation pressing forward, the hope is that answers will emerge, bringing some measure of closure to a city forever changed by a single, violent night.