NEWTOWN, Conn. – Three teenagers were killed, and 15 others were injured in a mass shooting that occurred Friday evening in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Police have described the incident as an attack between two rival groups that occurred at a public park. Approximately 200 people were gathered for an unauthorized car meet-up event.
The deceased victims included a 16-year-old male and two 19-year-old males. Law enforcement stated the injured victims range in age from 16 years to 36 years.
In a video posted on social media, dozens of shots can be heard. Between 50 to 60 handgun casings were found throughout the scene, but no rifle casings. Witnesses reported that a confrontation preceded the gunfire. Over the weekend, a 20-year-old male and three teenage males were arrested. Each suspect could receive a murder charge, in addition to other charges, and the investigation is still ongoing.
Firearms are the leading cause of death for New Mexico children and teens. Overall, the state had the third-highest gun death rate in the country in 2022, based on most recent available finalized data from CDC.
In response, Nicole Hockley, co-founder and co-CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, issued the following statement:
“This horrifying incident shattered three families, injured so many others, and devastated the community of Las Cruces – all because an argument between a few individuals escalated to violence. Our hearts are broken for the families of the three young people that were killed in this senseless tragedy, and for those who must now recuperate from their injuries. We stand with Las Cruces as the investigation continues, answers are revealed, and those responsible for this attack are brought to justice.
“Our nation’s youth deserve the opportunity to participate in community activities, free from the threat of gun violence. We must empower both youth and adults alike with skills to manage anger and resolve conflicts peacefully, to spare other families this unbearable pain. And we must continue teaching everyone the warning signs of violence and self-harm so lives can be saved, and a safer future can be created for our children.”
For more information on proven violence prevention programs, as well as information about how to take action to prevent gun violence, please visit sandyhookpromise.org.
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Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
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