Second Suspect Found Guilty in New Mexico Park Mass Shooting That Killed 3
On March 21, 2025, gunfire erupted during an unsanctioned car meet at Young Park in Las Cruces, New Mexico, after an altercation between two groups escalated into a shooting. Three people were killed and 15 others were injured.
The victims were identified as 19-year-old Dominick Estrada, 16-year-old Andrew Madrid, and 18-year-old Jason Gomez.
On February 26, 2026, a Dona Ana County jury found 18-year-old Nathan Rivas guilty on three counts of first-degree murder under the theory of depraved mind murder. Prosecutors argued Rivas’ actions demonstrated a total and deadly indifference to the value of human life.
Rivas was 17 at the time of the shooting but was tried as an adult. He faces a potential life sentence for each count. Sentencing will be scheduled after completion of a pre-sentence report.
Earlier this month, Rivas’ older brother, 21-year-old Tomas Rivas, was also found guilty on three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the same shooting.
Trials for the remaining two suspects are scheduled for April and July.
