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.
Authorities have identified the suspect in Thursday’s deadly shooting at Florida State University (FSU) as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, the son of longtime Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessica Ikner.
During an afternoon press conference, FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower confirmed that Phoenix Ikner was responsible for opening fire near the university’s Student Union Building, killing two individuals and injuring six others.
The incident unfolded around 11:50 a.m. on April 17, when the gunman began shooting on the university’s main campus in Tallahassee.
“FSU police responded immediately, engaged, neutralized, and apprehended the shooter,” Trumbower said. Ikner, believed to be an FSU student, was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital following the incident.
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell detailed the law enforcement response, stating that officers confronted Ikner and opened fire when he failed to comply with commands.
He was subsequently subdued and taken for medical treatment.
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil confirmed that the suspect is the son of Deputy Jessica Ikner, a veteran of the department with over 18 years of service.
“She has performed her duties with distinction,” McNeil stated, expressing support for Deputy Ikner during what he described as a devastating moment for her and the department.
Investigators revealed that the weapon used in the shooting was a handgun previously issued to Deputy Ikner before she transitioned to a new service weapon.
It was reportedly her personal firearm. Authorities also found a shotgun in Ikner’s possession at the scene, though it remains unclear whether it was discharged during the attack.
“We are continuing to investigate the role each weapon may have played and whether the suspect had access to additional firearms,” McNeil said.
Chief Revell added that Phoenix Ikner had been a “long-standing member” of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Youth Advisory Council and had participated in several law enforcement-related programs over the years.
“It’s not surprising to us that he had some level of access to firearms given his history within the agency’s youth programs,” Revell stated.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Authorities noted that Ikner has so far refused to cooperate with investigators or provide any explanation for his actions.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting in the investigation and has requested that anyone who witnessed the shooting or has relevant information or media uploads related to the incident submit tips through their official website at www.fbi.gov/fsushooting.
FSU remains under heightened security as law enforcement continues to process the scene and gather evidence.