Crime
Third Suspect Arrested in Connection to Las Cruces Mass Shooting
Las Cruces, NM – Authorities have arrested three suspects in connection with the deadly mass shooting that occurred at Young Park on Friday night, March 21, 2025.
Las Cruces police confirmed the arrests of Tomas Rivas-Hidalgo, 20; Nathan Giovani Rivas, 17; and 17-year-old Gustavo Dominguez.
All three suspects are facing three open counts of murder, with additional charges anticipated as the investigation continues.
Tomas Rivas-Hidalgo has been booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.
Nathan Giovani Rivas and Gustavo Dominguez, as a juvenile, has been remanded to a juvenile detention facility.
Officials have identified the three individuals who lost their lives in the shooting:
- Andrew Madrid, 16
- Jason Gomez, 18
- Dominick Estrada, 19
Madrid and Gomez were pronounced dead at the scene, while Estrada was transported to MountainView Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Additionally, 15 other victims, ranging in age from 16 to 36, sustained injuries during the attack.
Of those injured, nine are male and six are female. To protect their privacy, authorities have not released their names.
Authorities have confirmed that Gabriel Rickman is not connected to the mass shooting. After being interviewed by investigators, he was cleared of any involvement.
Officials also addressed rumors stemming from social media, including an image of a teenager holding an AR-style rifle.
A ballistic examination determined that 50 to 60 shell casings recovered from the scene were all from handguns, with no evidence linking the rifle in the image to the shooting.
Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story held a news conference on Saturday morning, where he reiterated that all shell casings collected were from handguns.
He also confirmed that the individual seen in the social media post holding a rifle had been interviewed by police and is not a suspect at this time.
The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) is continuing its investigation in coordination with the FBI, ATF, New Mexico State Police, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The shooting occurred shortly after 10 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025, in the parking lot of Young Park at 850 S. Walnut St.
Authorities responded to reports of gunfire and multiple victims. Several of the injured were transported to local hospitals, with seven later transferred to medical facilities in El Paso, Texas.
The conditions of the surviving victims have not been released at this time.
As part of the ongoing investigation, Young Park remains closed, and nearby roads continue to be restricted to through traffic as law enforcement officials process the crime scene.
Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information, photos, or videos from the incident to come forward to assist in the investigation.
Crime
Two Children Killed, Two Others Critically Injured in Angleton-Area Shooting, Mother in Custody
ANGLETON, Texas — Authorities are investigating a tragic shooting in Brazoria County that left two children dead and two others critically injured early Saturday morning.
According to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), deputies were dispatched around 5:00 a.m. after a distressed woman called 911, reporting that her son had attempted to kill her and that multiple children were in the vehicle with her.
Deputies located the woman and the children at a gas station on State Highway 288B near FM 521.
Investigators believe the shooting occurred elsewhere, and multiple agencies are now working to determine the exact location of the incident.
Upon arrival, deputies found four children suffering from gunshot wounds. A 13-year-old and a 4-year-old were pronounced dead at the scene.
An 8-year-old and a 9-year-old were airlifted to a nearby trauma hospital in critical condition.
Authorities later confirmed both surviving children are expected to recover.
Initial reports indicate that all individuals involved have been accounted for, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
A female adult—believed to be the children’s mother—has been taken into custody.
While investigators initially received conflicting information suggesting one of the children may have been responsible, authorities now believe the adult female was the shooter.
In a statement, the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office said:
“All individuals believed to be involved have been detained, and there is no ongoing threat to the community. While the details are still developing, the loss of two children in such a manner is a tragedy. Our thoughts are with the family and everyone affected as we continue to learn more about this heartbreaking situation.”
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it is assisting Brazoria County investigators at a related residence in Montgomery County, believed to be connected to the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims or the suspect pending notification of next of kin.
The investigation remains active.