Andrew Madrid, Jason Gomez, and Dominick Estrada Tragically Killed in Las Cruces Mass Shooting; Fourth Suspect Arrested – Three Additional Individuals Face Murder Charges; Investigation Ongoing into Friday Night Attack at Young Park

Las Cruces, NM – In a devastating turn of events, the lives of three young individuals were brutally taken in a mass shooting at Young Park on the evening of Friday, March 21, 2025. The victims – 16-year-old Andrew Madrid, 18-year-old Jason Gomez, and 19-year-old Dominick Estrada – were gunned down in a violent attack that has left the community shaken and local authorities scrambling for answers. Tragically, Madrid and Gomez died at the scene, while Estrada was rushed to MountainView Regional Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities have made significant strides in the investigation, announcing the arrest of a fourth suspect in connection with the shooting. On Sunday, March 23, at approximately 12:20 p.m., Las Cruces police took a 15-year-old male into custody. The juvenile, who has not been identified due to his age, faces three open counts of murder, joining previously arrested suspects Tomas Rivas-Hidalgo, 20, Adrian Rivas-Hidalgo, 17, and Gustavo Dominguez, 17. All four suspects are now facing multiple charges, including the three open counts of murder, and further charges are expected as the investigation progresses.

The tragic incident occurred around 10 p.m. on the night of March 21, when shots rang out in the parking lot of Young Park, a popular gathering place located at 850 S. Walnut Street in Las Cruces. Within moments, local law enforcement, fire personnel, and medical teams arrived at the scene, where they found multiple gunshot victims. The authorities have confirmed that in addition to the three fatalities, 15 others were injured, ranging in age from 16 to 36. The surviving victims, who include nine males and six females, sustained various degrees of injury, with some requiring urgent care and transport to nearby hospitals. Seven of the injured were transferred to medical facilities in El Paso, Texas, though details about their medical conditions remain unclear as of the latest update.

Law enforcement agencies from a wide range of organizations are working around the clock on the case, including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), New Mexico State Police, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The investigation remains in full swing, with authorities following multiple leads as they seek justice for the victims and their families.

The arrests of Tomas Rivas-Hidalgo, Adrian Rivas-Hidalgo, Gustavo Dominguez, and the unnamed 15-year-old suspect mark significant progress in the investigation, though many questions still remain unanswered. One of the more perplexing aspects of the case involved a social media post circulating prior to the investigation’s full development, which showed a teenager holding an AR-style rifle. This image had many residents questioning whether this individual was connected to the shooting. However, police have confirmed that there is no evidence linking the firearm in the image to the crime scene.

In a Saturday morning news conference, Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story addressed the confusion, stating that all shell casings recovered from the scene were from handguns, with no evidence suggesting that an AR-style rifle had been involved in the attack. Chief Story also clarified that the individual seen in the social media post with the rifle had been interviewed by police and was not a suspect. Authorities have worked diligently to disprove this misleading narrative, ensuring that the focus remains on the facts of the case rather than unfounded rumors.

With the investigation continuing, the city of Las Cruces has been left in a state of grief and uncertainty. Young Park, which was the site of the tragic shooting, remains closed to the public as law enforcement continues to gather evidence and piece together the events leading up to the attack. Nearby roads have also been blocked off to allow for the safe collection of information and to ensure that the investigation is not disrupted.

As more details emerge, the community is left reeling from the horror of that fateful night. The loss of Andrew Madrid, Jason Gomez, and Dominick Estrada has left a profound impact on their families, friends, and the broader Las Cruces area. Their untimely deaths, along with the injury of 15 other individuals, have raised difficult questions about the safety of public spaces and the escalation of violence in the area.

As of now, authorities have not released the identities of the other 15 victims, citing concerns for their privacy. Law enforcement has also reassured the public that the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone with information to come forward. The FBI, ATF, New Mexico State Police, and other agencies continue to collaborate in the hopes of uncovering further details about what led to this violent outburst.

The public is urged to remain vigilant and to report any tips or information that could help resolve the case. The Las Cruces Police Department has provided a tip line for individuals who may have witnessed the shooting or who have any relevant information to share with investigators.

In addition to the charges already levied against the four suspects, authorities have warned that additional charges could be forthcoming. The case is still in its early stages, and as more evidence is processed, the scope of the investigation may broaden. Law enforcement officials have also indicated that they are exploring potential motives for the shooting, though they have not yet publicly confirmed whether the incident was gang-related or driven by other factors.

As the community of Las Cruces mourns the deaths of these young individuals and prays for the recovery of the survivors, the need for justice and closure has never been more urgent. Families and friends of the victims are demanding answers, hoping that the full story behind this tragic event will soon come to light. The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining the motivations behind the crime and whether further individuals will be arrested in connection with the attack.

For now, all eyes are on the ongoing investigation, as law enforcement works tirelessly to uncover the truth and ensure that those responsible for this senseless act of violence are held accountable. The loss of Andrew Madrid, Jason Gomez, and Dominick Estrada will not be forgotten, and their memory will continue to fuel the drive for justice in Las Cruces and beyond.