Three Killed, 14 Hurt in Las Cruces, New Mexico Shooting/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Three people were killed and 14 others injured during a mass shooting at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, late Friday night. Authorities are asking witnesses to share videos and tips as multiple agencies assist in the search for suspects. Victims were transported to several local hospitals, with some airlifted to a trauma center in El Paso.
Las Cruces Park Tragedy: Quick Looks
- Shooting occurred around 10 p.m. Friday at Young Park
- Three people confirmed dead, 14 others injured
- Victims taken to hospitals in Las Cruces and El Paso
- Suspects remain at large; investigation ongoing
- Police urge witnesses to submit videos or tips
- FBI, ATF, and New Mexico State Police assisting
- Park area remains closed to the public Saturday
- Councilor: “Tragedy feels like a nightmare waiting to happen”
Three Killed, 14 Hurt in Las Cruces, New Mexico Shooting
Deep Look
Las Cruces Community Reeling After Deadly Shooting Leaves 3 Dead, 14 Injured
A late-night mass shooting at a popular park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, has left three people dead and 14 others wounded, prompting a multi-agency investigation as the community searches for answers and police hunt for suspects.
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. Friday at Young Park, a well-known recreation space and music venue in the city of Las Cruces. Police say multiple individuals opened fire in what quickly became one of the deadliest shootings in the city’s recent history.
Local hospitals quickly became overwhelmed as ambulances and private vehicles rushed the wounded to care. Six victims were brought to Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, and five of those were transferred to University Medical Center of El Paso, the region’s main trauma facility, said hospital spokesperson Andrew Cummins.
Investigation Intensifies
On Saturday, the Las Cruces Police Department remained on scene, with officers continuing to block off the area around Young Park as the investigation unfolded. Officials said that the New Mexico State Police, the FBI, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are all involved in the investigation.
Police are urging anyone who may have been present during the shooting to come forward with videos or information.
So far, no arrests have been made and no suspects identified.
A City in Shock
Las Cruces City Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo shared a somber message on Instagram, describing the emotional toll of the tragedy.
“Part of me wanted to write that this is something you never really think is going to happen in your city, but that actually feels deeply untrue,” she wrote. “A tragedy like this feels like a nightmare just waiting to come true at any possible moment.”
Young Park, typically a center for family events and music performances, became the site of chaos and grief, with investigators working through the night and into Saturday to process the scene.
Regional Context
Las Cruces, located in southern New Mexico along the Rio Grande and roughly 40 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, has largely been spared from the scale of mass shootings seen in other American cities. But Friday’s violence serves as a stark reminder of the national epidemic of gun violence that continues to plague communities of all sizes.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, and authorities say more information will be provided as the investigation develops.
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