Police: Juveniles had prior run-ins with law enforcement
Mar. 25—LAS CRUCES — Four people charged so far in the deadly March 21 shootout in Young Park had all faced criminal charges or domestic violence petitions in the past, police said Tuesday.
At least one of the defendants had also been involved in trafficking firearms online, Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story said during a news conference.
Tomas Rivas, 20, along with two 17-year-olds and one 15-year-old, have each been charged with open counts of murder over the deaths of Dominick Estrada, 19; Andrew "AJ" Madrid, 16; and Jason Gomez, 17.
District Attorney Fernando Macias, who has indicated he would charge the minor defendants as adults, confirmed that the three juveniles will remain in custody pending further proceedings.
Story presented video and audio recordings depicting the moment gunfire erupted around 10 p.m. Friday, as a crowd watched a blue Mustang spinning doughnuts.
The four defendants were on one side of the dispute, but investigators had not yet determined whether both sides had opened fire, Story said. Three of the four defendants had been involved together in multiple cases, Story said. No connection to a known criminal gang had been established.
A total of 59 bullet casings were recovered from the scene, including .45 and 9mm caliber. Some of those struck by gunfire were intended as targets, while many were not, the chief said. Fifteen wounded that night were treated at Las Cruces hospitals and in El Paso, ranging in age from 16 to 36.
In addition to four semi-automatic pistols, Story said police recovered a shotgun connected to the defendants. Of these, he confirmed that three weapons had been reported as stolen, while the status of the other two was not clear.
Car meets and juvenile crime
"We need more for our youth to do," City Manager Ikani Taumoepeau said during the conference, promising to include youths themselves in discussions about city facilities and programs. He said one suggestion under discussion would be converting the recently closed Amador Live venue in downtown Las Cruces, a development on city-owned property, into a facility serving youth.
Story clarified a remark he made last Saturday, in the shooting's aftermath, when he described the shootout as "a stark reminder of the blatant disregard people in New Mexico have for the rule of law and order." On Tuesday, Story said the intended reference had been to New Mexicans who commit crimes with no fear of accountability.
Nighttime car meets had been the focus of repeated complaints of reckless driving and other dangerous behaviors with firearms present, Story said, adding that he would support safer versions of such events that abided by the law.
Taumoepeau said no changes in the park's hours of access were planned. An inaugural class of park rangers would soon be on the ground helping to monitor the parks, with backup from the New Mexico Mounted Patrol and city police, authorities said.
While the city of Las Cruces has provided funding for 220 police officers, Story said his current staffing level sits at about 188 and that he has struggled to fill those ranks.
Citing an increase in offenses by repeat juvenile offenders, he called for solutions, particularly from state lawmakers, addressing juvenile crime, rehabilitation and diversion programs, as well as resources for recruiting and retaining police officers.
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