4 Facing Murder Charges After Shooting That Left 3 Dead

Four suspects are facing murder charges in a deadly New Mexico mass shooting that left three dead and 15 injured.

Key Takeaways

A mass shooting at an unauthorized car show in Las Cruces, New Mexico resulted in three deaths and 15 injuries, with 50-60 handgun casings found at the scene.
Three teenagers and one adult have been arrested, with the teens denied bond by Judge Grace B. Duran who cited community safety concerns and risk of retaliation.
The adult suspect, Tomas Rivas, was ordered to stay jailed and reportedly had his first hearing at the start of the week.
The deceased victims were identified as Andrew Madrid (16), Jason Gomez (18), and Dominick Estrada (19).
Evidence presented in court suggests Gustavo Dominguez was the primary shooter, with Nathan Rivas also identified as a shooter and known weapon trafficker.
Local police were understaffed at the time of the incident and are now being assisted by federal agencies including the FBI and ATF in the investigation.

Teens Denied Bond in Las Cruces Shooting

A New Mexico judge has ordered three teenagers to remain incarcerated while awaiting trial for their alleged roles in a mass shooting that shocked the Las Cruces community. Gustavo Dominguez, Nathan Giovani Rivas, and Josiah Ontiveros face murder charges after the incident at Young Park that claimed three young lives and left 15 others wounded. Judge Grace B. Duran denied bond for all three teens during their detention hearings, emphasizing that releasing them would pose a significant danger to public safety.

Tomas Rivas, the adult suspect in the case, was ordered to stay jailed and appeared in court on Monday. Doña Ana County District Attorney Fernando Macias made a motion for him to have an expedited detention hearing ahead of his trial, arguing that “no release conditions will reasonably protect the safety of any other person or the community.”

The shooting erupted around 10 p.m. on Friday, March 24, during an unauthorized car show that had attracted approximately 200 people to the park. According to court documents, the violence began after an argument escalated into gunfire. Investigators recovered between 50-60 handgun casings at the scene, indicating multiple shooters and weapons were involved. The deceased victims were identified as Andrew Madrid (16), Jason Gomez (18), and Dominick Estrada (19), while 15 others sustained injuries of varying severity.

Arrests made in shooting at New Mexico park that killed 3 teens, hurt 15 others https://t.co/OIlj1qGo4d

— WSMV 4 Nashville (@WSMV) March 24, 2025

Evidence Points to Primary Shooters

During the detention hearings, prosecutors presented evidence that Dominguez was allegedly the primary shooter in the incident, with Nathan Rivas also identified as a shooter and reportedly known as a weapon trafficker. The third teen, Ontiveros, is alleged to have been involved in the altercation that preceded the gunfire. A fourth suspect, Tomas Rivas, is reportedly the brother of Nathan Rivas. The Doña Ana County District Attorney’s office is pursuing first-degree murder charges and may add conspiracy charges as the investigation continues.

Investigation and Community Response

Las Cruces Police Department is receiving assistance from multiple agencies, including the FBI, ATF, New Mexico State Police, and the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office. Police Chief Jeremy Story indicated that the department was understaffed on the night of the shooting, with “no units available for most of the night.” This staffing shortage may have contributed to the department’s inability to prevent or respond more quickly to the unauthorized gathering that ultimately turned deadly.

In response to the tragedy, the city has established support services at the Las Cruces Convention Center, offering crisis counseling, spiritual counseling, and assistance connecting victims with local resources and financial aid. U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez has called for improved public security measures, describing the event as “chaotic” and “lawless,” where attendees faced danger not only from firearms but also from vehicles performing stunts in the parking area. The community continues to mourn as authorities work to bring those responsible to justice.