Charges intensify against suspects in New Mexico park shooting that killed three

In New Mexico, a shooting on a Friday night at Young Park resulted in the tragic deaths of three individuals and left 15 others injured. The incident was precipitated by a confrontation between two groups following an unauthorized car show that attracted around 200 attendees. Authorities have arrested at least four suspects, including 20-year-old Tomas Rivas and three teenagers, linked to the violent outburst. Notably, the ages of the injured victims ranged from 16 to 36, with one identified as a local high school student. Los Cruces school district expressed sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the affected families. Following the shooting, evidence rapidly emerged, prompting law enforcement to act. A witness reported seeing Tomas Rivas shoot one of the victims multiple times, hitting him in both the body and head. Rivas and a 17-year-old male were apprehended shortly after the incident. Further investigations revealed two other male teens, aged 15 and 17, were captured the following day. While the details surrounding their arrests remain scarce, the swift police response has brought a measure of assurance to the community about the commitment to justice. Court documents illustrate the accumulation of strong evidence against the accused, highlighting the testimonies of witnesses who recognized Rivas and his co-defendants. Officers reportedly observed the suspects disposing of firearms in the aftermath of the shooting, which, upon inspection, matched the casings found at the crime scene, where authorities noted the presence of 50 to 60 casings across the park. This collection of circumstantial evidence further supports the assertion that the shooting was a planned confrontation rather than an isolated incident. As the investigation continues, holding a news conference is underway where police officials will provide further information to the public. Prosecutors view this incident as one of the most horrific to ever occur in Las Cruces, and they have filed motions to keep Rivas in custody as he awaits trial, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. A hearing regarding Rivas's custody status is anticipated in the following days, as the legal proceedings begin to unfold against this backdrop of community grief and outrage.