Crime
Two Victims Killed in Las Cruces Mass Shooting Identified as Dominick Angel Estrada and Andrew Madrid
Las Cruces, NM – An altercation between two groups at an unsanctioned car show led to a deadly mass shooting at Young Park on the night of March 21, 2025.
The incident resulted in three fatalities and multiple gunshot victims, according to the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD).
Authorities confirmed that 15 people sustained injuries in the shooting, while three male victims lost their lives.
The deceased have been identified as 19-year-old Dominick Angel Estrada, a 18-year-old man, and a 16-year-old Andrew Madrid.
The wounded individuals range in age from 16 to 36 years old.
One of the injured victims has been identified as Jacob Zuniga.
Las Cruces police have officially cleared Gabriel Rickman of any involvement in the shooting. Rickman was interviewed by investigators and determined not to be connected to the crime.
Authorities also addressed the circulation of an image on social media showing a teenager holding an AR-style rifle. Law enforcement clarified that there is no evidence linking the firearm in the image to the crime scene.
A ballistic analysis of the evidence recovered from the area revealed that all 50 to 60 shell casings found at the scene were from handguns, with none matching an AR-style rifle.
In a press conference on Saturday morning, LCPD Chief Jeremy Story provided further details regarding the timeline and scale of the incident.
The first reports of gunfire were received at approximately 10:10 p.m. The violence quickly escalated, resulting in multiple victims caught in the crossfire.
According to LCPD, around 200 people were present at the park when the shooting took place. The majority of the gunfire occurred in the parking lot, though shell casings were found throughout the park.
Chief Story also noted that there was existing “ill will” between the two groups involved before the event took place.
Las Cruces Fire Department (LCFD) Chief Michael Daniels reported that two victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Seven individuals were treated on-site, four were transported to local hospitals, and one critically injured person was airlifted to a hospital in El Paso, Texas.
As of Saturday morning, seven of the injured victims have been transferred to medical facilities in El Paso for further treatment.
Four individuals have been treated and released, while updates on the condition of the remaining four victims are still pending.
During the press conference, Chief Story expressed frustration over crime trends in New Mexico, stating, “This horrendous, senseless act is a stark reminder of the blatant disregard people in New Mexico have for the rule of law and order. It’s also a reminder of the lack of fear and accountability in New Mexico.”
Story cited staffing shortages within the LCPD, stating that his department remains below its budgeted strength of 220 officers.
Additionally, three approved Park Rangers are still undergoing training, and the Real Time Crime Center—funded by both the city and the state—has yet to become operational.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham also addressed the incident in a statement on Saturday, highlighting a 46% increase in violent crime in Las Cruces compared to the previous year. “The devastating loss of Officer Jonah Hernandez in Las Cruces last year, and now this mass shooting, underscore the legislature’s years-long failure to address the crime crisis shattering lives and communities in our state,” the governor’s statement read. “New Mexicans are heartbroken, and they should also be outraged that their legislature will adjourn today without having passed a single bill to address juvenile crime or ban assault weapons.”
Chief Story described unsanctioned car shows as an ongoing challenge for law enforcement. In response to past incidents, the city installed gates at Young Park, which are closed nightly at 11 p.m.
Additionally, LCPD is in the process of implementing security technology throughout Las Cruces parks as part of the Real Time Crime Center initiative. However, Story noted that officers were not available for most of the evening before the shooting.
He further elaborated on the presence of firearms at the event, both during and leading up to the shooting. “That area has been troubled by crime more so in recent years,” Story said. “Despite our efforts, we are still struggling with it.”
No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, but investigators are pursuing multiple leads. LCPD is urging anyone who attended the event and captured photos or videos to upload them to a secure site to assist in the investigation.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is encouraged to contact Las Cruces police at (575) 526-0795. Individuals seeking to confirm the status of a loved one may also call the same number.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.