Crime
UNM Campus Shooting Victim Identified as 14-Year-Old Michael Lamotte
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau is actively investigating a fatal shooting that occurred early Friday, July 25, 2025, at Mesa Vista Hall on the University of New Mexico (UNM) campus.
According to a statement from New Mexico State Police (NMSP), the investigation was initiated at the request of the University of New Mexico Police Department (UNMPD) following reports of gunfire inside the dormitory complex.
At approximately 1:36 a.m., UNM police officers responded to an alarm activation at Mesa Vista Hall.
Upon arrival, officers discovered broken windows and what appeared to be blood near the scene.
Shortly afterward, UNMPD received a phone call from a concerned woman who stated that her family member, who was on campus, had reported hearing gunshots.
Shortly thereafter, officers were notified by the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) that a 19-year-old male had arrived at the emergency department with a gunshot wound.
The individual reported that he had been shot on campus.
While conducting a security sweep of the surrounding buildings, UNMPD officers entered one of the dorm rooms in the Casas del Rio complex and discovered the body of a 14-year-old male, later identified as Michael Lamotte.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Out of an abundance of caution and to preserve critical evidence, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the campus. NMSP investigators responded and assumed control of the case.
According to the preliminary investigation and details in the criminal complaint, four individuals had gathered in the dorm room to play video games.
At some point, for reasons still under investigation, one of the individuals, later identified as 18-year-old John Fuentes, allegedly produced a firearm and began shooting at the others.
Michael Lamotte was fatally shot during the incident.
Another teenager sustained a gunshot wound to the head but survived.
Following the shooting, all surviving individuals, including Fuentes, fled the room.
By approximately 2:30 p.m. the same day, Fuentes was located and apprehended by NMSP in Valencia County, New Mexico.
He was taken into custody without incident at a smoke shop off NM 314 in Los Lunas. An older woman who was in the vehicle with Fuentes at the time was detained but later released.
Fuentes was transported to and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on the following charges:
- First-degree murder
- Aggravated battery
- Aggravated assault
- Tampering with evidence
New Mexico State Police have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional charges may be forthcoming for individuals who may have assisted Fuentes after the shooting.
Authorities urge anyone with relevant information to come forward as investigators continue to gather evidence in this tragic and deeply disturbing incident.
Norfolk, Virginia — Authorities have identified the instructor killed during Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a retired U.S. Army officer who had returned to the university to serve as an instructor with its Army ROTC program.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:43 a.m. on the university’s campus in Norfolk. Police responded after receiving multiple emergency calls reporting an active shooter inside Constant Hall.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect—identified by authorities as Mohammed Jalloh—entered the building and walked through the hallway before approaching a classroom where an Army ROTC session was underway.
The suspect reportedly asked individuals inside whether he had arrived at an ROTC class. When someone confirmed that it was, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting the class instructor.
Voorhees University confirmed in a public Facebook statement that the victim was Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, noting the tragedy has personal ties to the institution.
“This tragedy is felt especially close to home for us, as the victim, Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, was the son-in-law of Voorhees University Trustee and alumnus Dr. Dan Martin,” the university wrote in its statement. “We lift Dr. Martin and his family in our thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable loss.”
Shah was a native of Staunton and began his military career by enlisting in the United States Army in 2003 as an aviation operations specialist.
In 2005, he enrolled at Old Dominion University, where he later received his Army commission in 2007. Shah graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in military science.
Following his commissioning, Shah served extensively in Army aviation. According to his alumni profile at ODU, he earned the Army Aviation Senior Aviator wings, logging more than 1,200 flight hours across three different aircraft and accumulating over 600 combat flight hours during his service.
In addition to his undergraduate degree, Shah pursued advanced education, earning an MBA from University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from University of Kansas.
Throughout his military career, Shah received numerous awards and distinctions. Among them were the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
His alumni biography also described him as a strong advocate for minority and veteran business education, highlighting his involvement in initiatives that support diversity, inclusion, and entrepreneurship. In addition to his professional work, Shah volunteered his time to assist underserved communities.
Shah returned to his alma mater in summer 2022 to serve as an instructor and help lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion at Old Dominion University. In that role, he mentored and trained students pursuing military leadership careers.
University officials and members of the campus community have expressed deep sorrow over his death, remembering Shah as a dedicated officer, educator, and mentor whose service and leadership had a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike.
Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the suspect’s motive, and the investigation remains active.