Crime
Authorities Confirm Gabriel Rickman Not Involved in Young Park Mass Shooting in Las Cruces
Las Cruces police have officially confirmed that Gabriel Rickman is not involved in the mass shooting that occurred at Young Park on Friday night, March 21, 2025.
Rickman was interviewed by investigators and has been cleared of any connection to the incident.
Authorities also addressed the circulation of an image depicting a teenager holding what appears to be an AR-style rifle.
Police clarified that there is no evidence linking that firearm to the crime scene.
A thorough examination of ballistic evidence determined that approximately 50 to 60 shell casings recovered at the scene were from handguns, with no casings found matching an AR-style rifle.
The shooting, which took place around 10 p.m. at Young Park, located at 850 S. Walnut St., left three people dead and 14 others injured.
The deceased include two 19-year-old men and one 16-year-old boy.
The identities of the victims and those injured have not been publicly released at this time.
The ages of the wounded individuals range from 16 to 36 years old.
Many of the victims were transported to local hospitals, while others were taken to University Medical Center of El Paso in neighboring Texas for treatment.
Authorities have not yet made any arrests in connection to the shooting but continue to actively pursue multiple leads.
The circumstances surrounding the gunfire remain under investigation, and the motive has not yet been determined.
Footage from the scene captured the chaos as dozens of gunshots rang out in rapid succession, causing people to flee and take cover behind vehicles.
The Las Cruces Police Department is being assisted in the investigation by the New Mexico State Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact Las Cruces police at (575) 526-0795. Individuals seeking to confirm the status of a loved one may also call the same number.
Crime
Willie Herndon and Taiya Herndon Face Charges in Fatal I-170 Shooting of 17-Year-Old Alyssa Wilson
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A husband and wife are facing charges in connection with the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Alyssa Wilson on Interstate 170 in St. Louis County, Missouri.
The defendants have been identified as Willie Herndon, 42, and Taiya Herndon, 45. As of the latest available information, authorities had not released the specific charges filed against either defendant.
Wilson was shot on the evening of Wednesday, October 14, 2026, on Interstate 170 near Midland Boulevard. She later died from her injuries, turning the shooting into a fatal investigation involving local law enforcement and prosecutors.
Wilson was a senior at McCluer North High School, where she was known as a student-athlete and office aide, according to information released by the school.
The teenager was preparing for the next stage of her life and planned to attend college in 2027. Her death has cut short those plans and brought attention to the loss of a young student whose future included educational and personal goals.
School officials highlighted Wilson’s connection to the school community as news of the fatal shooting emerged.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis were scheduled to hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Monday, October 19, to announce additional information about the case.
The anticipated briefing is expected to provide further details about the investigation and the charges involving Willie Herndon and Taiya Herndon. Until authorities release additional information, the specific allegations against each defendant remain unclear.
Investigators have not provided further details in the information available about what led to the shooting, the relationship between the defendants and Wilson, or the circumstances surrounding the incident on Interstate 170.
The case remains a developing criminal investigation as prosecutors and investigators prepare to share more information with the public.
Wilson’s death has left her family, friends and school community mourning the loss of a 17-year-old who was nearing graduation and planning to pursue higher education.
Additional details about the charges, the circumstances of the shooting and the status of the case are expected from the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis.