Crime
Two Suspects Tomas Rivas and 17-year-old male Arrested in connection to Las Cruces Mass Shooting
Las Cruces police have arrested two individuals in connection with the deadly mass shooting at Young Park on Friday night.
Nathan Giovani Rivas and Tomas Rivas-Hidalgo Arrested in Connection to Las Cruces Mass Shooting
Authorities confirmed the arrests of 20-year-old Tomas Rivas and a 17-year-old male suspect on Saturday evening.
Both individuals have been charged with three open counts of murder, with additional charges expected as the investigation progresses.
Rivas is being held without bond at the Doña Ana County Detention Center, while the juvenile suspect has been remanded to a juvenile detention facility.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to pursue leads.
The victims who tragically lost their lives in the shooting have been identified as Andrew Madrid, 16; Jason Gomez, 18; and 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 total, 15 other victims—nine males and six females, ranging in age from 16 to 36—were wounded in the incident.
Their names have not been publicly released to protect their privacy.
Several victims were transported to local hospitals, with seven later transferred to medical facilities in El Paso, Texas. Their current conditions remain unknown.
Las Cruces police, in coordination with the FBI, ATF, New Mexico State Police, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Authorities have officially confirmed that Gabriel Rickman is not connected to the incident. Following an investigation, Rickman was interviewed by detectives and cleared of any involvement.
Police also addressed concerns surrounding an image circulating on social media, which depicted a teenager holding what appeared to be an AR-style rifle.
Officials confirmed that ballistic evidence at the scene did not support any connection between that firearm and the shooting.
A forensic analysis of approximately 50 to 60 shell casings recovered at the scene determined that all were discharged from handguns, with no evidence of an AR-style rifle being used.
During a press conference on Saturday, Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story reiterated that all recovered shell casings were from handguns.
He also confirmed that an individual seen in the social media post with a rifle was interviewed and is not currently a suspect.
The shooting occurred shortly after 10 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025, in the parking lot of Young Park, located at 850 S. Walnut St. Officers and emergency responders arrived on the scene following multiple reports of gunfire and gunshot victims.
As of Saturday evening, Young Park remains closed as authorities continue to collect evidence. Nearby roads are also restricted to traffic while the investigation remains ongoing.
Las Cruces police urge anyone with information related to the shooting to come forward. Individuals who were present at Young Park during the incident and have relevant photos or videos are encouraged to submit them to a secure site for review.
Crime
Agent Nic Graham Dies After Being Shot in Lakewood Police Shootout With Suspect Gabriel Garcia on RTD Bus
LAKEWOOD, Colorado — A Lakewood police agent who was critically wounded during a shootout with a suspect aboard an RTD bus has died, authorities confirmed. The fallen officer was identified as Nic Graham, a member of the Lakewood Police Department since 2019.
Graham was among four police agents injured Thursday evening when an armed confrontation erupted near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. A civilian bystander was also struck by gunfire.
The shooting followed a police search for a suspect connected to a hit-and-run crash reported earlier in the day.
Police said the incident initially began shortly before 3:45 p.m. Thursday, following a hit-and-run collision near Kipling Street and West 13th Avenue in Lakewood.
Witnesses told investigators that the suspect ran away almost immediately after the crash. However, they provided officers with a description that helped police identify and search for the individual.
Lakewood Police Public Information Agent John Romero said witnesses were able to give officers a useful description of the person who fled the scene.
Several hours later, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Lakewood police agent recognized the individual boarding an RTD bus near Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.
Officers approached the suspect at approximately 6:32 p.m. Police said the individual opened fire on officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Responding officers returned fire, striking the suspect. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene and was identified as Gabriel Garcia.
Garcia was reportedly on parole when the shooting occurred.
The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Four Lakewood police agents suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation. Their injuries ranged from serious to critical, and all four were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite receiving emergency medical treatment, Graham later died from his injuries.
One civilian bystander was also hit by gunfire and hospitalized. The person’s condition had not been publicly disclosed as of Friday afternoon.
Hospital updates released Friday morning indicated that two agents treated at Denver Health Medical Center had been released. Another remained hospitalized, while officials had not provided a complete update on the remaining injured individuals.
Graham began serving with the Lakewood Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the police academy.
Throughout his law enforcement career, he contributed to criminal investigations and earned recognition for his work.
One of his notable achievements came in 2023, when he received the department’s Special Investigations Unit Wingman Award for his contributions to investigations targeting gang members.
Police Chief Philip Smith paid tribute to Graham, highlighting his dedication, compassion and commitment to helping others.
Chief Smith said Graham demonstrated those qualities throughout his career, from his early days on patrol to his investigative work.
His death has left the department and the wider Lakewood community grieving the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to public service.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the circumstances that led to the deadly confrontation.
The shooting resulted in the death of suspect Gabriel Garcia, the fatal injury of Agent Nic Graham, injuries to three additional police agents and a civilian bystander.
Officials have not released a final investigative account of the incident. Further updates are expected as investigators establish the complete sequence of events.