Crime
Nathan Giovani Rivas and Tomas Rivas-Hidalgo Arrested in Connection to Las Cruces Mass Shooting
Las Cruces, NM – Authorities have arrested two individuals in connection with the mass shooting that took place at Young Park on Friday night, March 21, 2025.
Third Suspect Arrested in Connection to Las Cruces Mass Shooting
On Saturday evening, Las Cruces police arrested Tomas Rivas-Hidalgo, 20, and Nathan Giovani Rivas, 17, for their alleged roles in the shooting.
Both suspects have been charged with three open counts of murder, with additional charges expected as the investigation continues.
Tomas Rivas-Hidalgo has been booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.
The juvenile suspect, Nathan Giovani Rivas, has been remanded to a juvenile detention facility pending further legal proceedings.
Police have confirmed the identities of 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.
In addition to the fatalities, 15 other individuals sustained injuries, ranging in age from 16 to 36 years old.
Among the injured, nine are male and six are female. To protect their privacy, law enforcement officials have not released their names.
Las Cruces police have officially cleared Gabriel Rickman of any involvement in the shooting.
Authorities interviewed Rickman and determined that he has no connection to the incident.
Police also addressed misinformation circulating on social media, particularly an image depicting a teenager holding what appears to be an AR-style rifle.
A forensic examination of the crime scene determined that all 50 to 60 shell casings recovered were from handguns, with no ballistic evidence linking an AR-style rifle to the shooting.
At a Saturday morning press conference, Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story confirmed that forensic investigators did not find shell casings from a rifle at the scene.
He also reiterated that the individual seen in the viral image was interviewed by police and is not a suspect in the case.
Law enforcement officials continue to follow multiple leads, with assistance from federal and state agencies, including:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- New Mexico State Police
- Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office
- U.S. Attorney’s Office
The shooting occurred shortly after 10 p.m. at Young Park, 850 S. Walnut St., Las Cruces.
Police and emergency responders arrived to find multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds in the park’s parking lot and surrounding areas.
Several of the injured were transported to local hospitals, while seven victims were later transferred to medical facilities in El Paso, Texas for specialized treatment.
Their current medical conditions have not been disclosed.
As of Saturday evening, Young Park remains closed while police continue processing evidence.
Nearby roads are also restricted to traffic as the investigation progresses.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to come forward by contacting Las Cruces police at (575) 526-0795.
Crime
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son Nehemiah Locklear.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”